EU mulls participation in international force to Lebanon
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Brussels, July 17, IRNA
EU-Lebanon-Int'l Force
The European Union said Monday that it is ready to consider participating in an international force for Lebanon if such a mission is dispatched.
"I am confident that the European Union and its member states which have been heavily contributing to such missions in the past will stand ready to take part if the conditions are there for such a mission," Finland's Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja told a news conference in Brussels this afternoon following a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Finland holds the current EU Presidency.
UN chief Kofi Annan and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have called for an international force to be sent to Lebanon to stop the hostilities.
Tuomioja said, however, that at the moment this is only an idea.
"Our member states have made it clear that they are willing to consider participating in any such mission," he added.
Tuomioja said the EU ministers expressed 'serious concern' over the situation in Lebanon and warned that there was a threat of escalation.
"We appeal for a cessation of hostilities," he said.
On his part, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the position of both Israel and Hizbollah for a ceasefire are very separated.
Solana said he met Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Al Saniora and the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri during his brief trip to Beirut on Sunday.
"The situation is dramatic as far as the level of destruction is concerned," said Solana.
The EU foreign ministers in a statement 'it is urgent to stop violence and return to diplomacy. Only a political process of negotiation can bring lasting peace to the region'.
Meanwhile, Kofi Annan will be in Brussels Tuesday to participate in an international conference on Darfur.
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