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News Releases
No. 65/06
July 31, 2006
LEBANON: EU REACTS TO QANA ATTACK & PREPARES TO ASSESS SITUATION
 Reacting today to the news of Israel's attack on
Qana, EU
External Relations Commissioner
Benita
Ferrero-Waldner said: "Israel’s attack on the city of Qana means an
escalation of violence that is unjustifiable at a time when the international
community is jointly working to find a solution to the conflict. Immediate
cessation of violence and hostilities is now more important than ever. The
killings of innocent people, particularly of children, must stop now. We keep
supporting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in his efforts and approach to peace
and call on all sides to restrain from further violence."
Tomorrow, August 1st, the EU Council will also hold an extraordinary meeting
to assess the situation in Lebanon and to prepare further EU action following
the
International Conference on Lebanon in Rome on 26 July.
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner and Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja,
currently
President of the Council, will report on their visit to the region
after the Rome meeting. The High Representative for the EU's
Common Foreign and
Security Policy, Javier Solana (at right), will also give his assessment following
extensive talks in the region and contacts with the EU's main partners.
The Rome meeting agreed to offer
Lebanon a major humanitarian package, with both
immediate relief and financial support. It addressed the conditions for a
ceasefire process and agreed on the scope for deploying an international force
in Southern Lebanon. The EU expressed its readiness to play a substantive role
in contributing to such a force.
Conference participants expressed their determination to work immediately to
reach with the utmost urgency a ceasefire that put an end to the current
violence and hostilities. The conference affirmed that the fundamental condition
for lasting security in Lebanon is the Government's full ability to exercise its
authority over all its territory. It also considered that an International Force
in Lebanon should urgently be authorised under a UN mandate to support the
Lebanese Armed Forces in providing a secure environment.
For further information, please visit: :
http://www.eurunion.org/newsweb/HotTopics/mideast.htm
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Further Contact Information
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
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