ICRC notes progress on cluster bombs

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Though there are encouraging political signs in treaties regarding cluster bombs, it's time for more practical action, the ICRC said at a conference in Lebanon.

The International Committee of the Red Cross wrapped up a weeklong meeting in Beirut by lauding trends in clearing and destroying cluster munitions.

"The trends identified over the last 10 months are encouraging," ICRC Vice President Christine Beerli said in a statement "They show that nearly 65 million submunitions have already been destroyed as a direct result of the convention (against cluster bombs), and clearance is progressing."

The ICRC adds that Lebanon is one of the countries most heavily affected by cluster bombs. Israel was accused of using disproportionate force on non-Hezbollah targets and civilian-populated areas and it also faced criticism over its use of cluster bombs in its war with Hezbollah in 2006.

World leaders at a cluster bomb convention in Laos last year agreed to a declaration that condemns the use of weapons and increases the available resources for their victims.

Beerli said states have slowly come forward supporting measures against cluster munitions.

"Our task now is to move from political vision to practical action in order to rid the world of these weapons, which cause unacceptable harm to civilians," she said.