EU Foreign Ministers Meet on Mideast Crisis
01 August 2006
European Union foreign ministers are trying to agree on a draft statement calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
But diplomats at the talks in Brussels say Britain and Germany have rejected a draft that calls for an immediate cease-fire. The diplomats say the two countries have proposed a call for an eventual cessation of hostilities.
Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said Israel's decision to intensify the offensive against Hezbollah will only increase support for the militant group. Finland is the current president of the 25-member European Union.
France has led calls for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire. Britain has resisted, calling instead for an international force in Lebanon to make sure a truce is sustainable.
Earlier Tuesday during a visit to Beirut, Iran's foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, criticized the United Nations Security Council for its failure to stop the fighting.
Mottaki also met Monday with French counterpart, Philippe Douste-Blazy, at the Iranian embassy in Beirut. Neither official made any comments after the talks.
The EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss which nations will contribute to an international force in Lebanon, and how to increase humanitarian aid to Lebanese affected by the fighting.
On Monday, President Bush again called for a lasting, sustainable cease-fire in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas. He said Iran and Syria must end their support for terror groups such as Hezbollah. The United States has refused to call for an immediate cease-fire.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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