Israel halted

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called on all countries to stop Israel’s "fascist crimes" in Lebanon here on Sunday.

"What Israel is doing is fascism and terrorism. We call on the world to stop Israel's insanity," he said during a ceremony at the University of Tehran in which he was awarded the Order of the Islamic Republic of Iran, First Grade.

The world must have the ability to stop Israel’s madness, he added.

He emphasized that Iran and Venezuela have adopted a common stance condemning the Israeli crimes.

"Bush claims that he has a connection with God every day, but, in fact, he has a connection with the devil because no other country has put humanity in danger like the United States," he said.

Israel bowed to international pressure last night and agreed to suspend its aerial bombardment of southern Lebanon for 48 hours, after an air strike killed at least 60 civilians - more than half of them children.

"Why have they attacked little children and defenceless women?" asked a bereaved man.