Émile Lahoud
On 16 July 2006, Lebanese President Émile Lahoud claimed that Israeli forces dropped "phosphorus incendiary bombs, which are a blatant violation of international laws ... against Lebanese civilians". Information Minister Ghazi Aridi also said, "Israel is using internationally prohibited weapons against civilians." "As-Safir" newspaper also ran a story about alleged use of unknown chemical weapons, citing a member of the "French Association of Cardiovascular Surgeons". Jawad Najem, a surgeon at a Tyre hospital, claims that he has treated patients with phosphorus burns. Other doctors in Southern Lebanon also suspect they are seeing phosphorus burns. On 24 July Lebanese President Émile Lahoud stated on France's RFI radio:"According to the Geneva Convention, when they use phosphorus bombs and laser bombs, is that allowed against civilians and children?" An IDF spokeswomen replied to the Lahoud's statement by saying, "Everything the Israeli Defense Forces are using is legitimate"