DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng led a nine-member delegation for a dialogue with American ambassador Christopher LaFleur today to call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon.

Speaking at a press conference outside the US Embassy at Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur, Lim said this dialogue was the first with the US envoy for the DAP.

"This is the first time DAP is holding a dialogue with the American ambassador. We want to do something different," he said.

He added that those who recently held anti-Israeli demonstrations at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and the US embassy may not bring the desired result.

"Instead of holding demonstrations, we should try to have a dialogue and communicate with the ambassador," he asked.

Yesterday, Lim took a swipe at Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin for holding a noisy demonstration on July 30 against the visiting US secretary of state, Condoleeza Rice.

Khairy was reported to have said: "From the people of Malaysia, we do not welcome Rice here. You may be invited by the government, but we do not welcome Rice here."

"Such Oxford-trained logic is ridiculous," retorted Lim. "Rice was invited by his father-in-law's government and Khairy is a member of the government. If the government is supposed to represent the people of Malaysia, how can Khairy as a member of the government not welcome Rice?"

At the press conference today, Lim said that they are representing all Malaysians including non-Muslims and are demanding for the US government to put an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon following the Qana massacre which has killed scores of civilians including 34 children.

"This is the sentiment of Malaysians. We come here representing all Malaysians. There should be no doubt that non-Muslim Malaysians are equally appalled at the atrocities in Lebanon," he said.

When asked what was LaFleur's response to the 45-minute dialogue, Lim said the ambassador found the situation frustrating because "there is only so much that they can do".

US - the only power

However, the ambassador hopes that there would be a ceasefire in the coming days with UN's help.

Lim also opined that LaFleur has not met any other organisations as such on this issue yet but hoped to forward the DAP's input to the US State Department.

Speaking on DAP's standing against current Israeli aggression, he said the US government is the only power than can provide an impetus for a ceasefire.

"US is seen as the only country that can compel Israel to do the right thing. The longer they take or failure to do will cause them to be seen as the accessory to the atrocities committed by Israel," he said.

"We want to tell them that the Bush administration is losing friends and they are only creating enemies. In the end the US would stand alone with Israel and Britain," he added.

Lim pointed out that the tables have turned as people are now speaking for 'terrorist groups' such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

"It seems that condemnation is now at the Israelis and the Americans," he added.