U.S. blames Syria, Iran for kidnappings

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah gestures during a news conference in the suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, July 12, 2006. Nasrallah said Wednesday that Israel's military assault in Lebanon would not win the freedom of two captured Israeli soldiers, saying they would only be released as part of a prisoner swap, but added he was open to a package deal in which the two Israeli soldiers, along with a third captured by Palestinian militants in Gaza two weeks ago, would be traded for Arab prisoners. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)

July 12, 2006

ROSTOCK, Germany - The United States blamed Syria and Iran on Wednesday for the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah militants and the ensuing violence. The White House called for the immediate and unconditional release of the two soldiers.

"We condemn in the strongest terms Hezbollah's unprovoked attack on Israel and the kidnapping of the two Israeli soldiers," National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said as President Bush flew here for a visit. He said Hezbollah had also launched rocket attacks on civilian targets in Israel as part of its offensive.

"This is a terrorist attack and it is clearly timed to exacerbate already high tensions in the region and sow further violence," Jones said.

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U.S. blames Syria, Iran for kidnappings