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EU calls for immediate lifting of Israeli blockade on Lebanon

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, Aug 30, IRNA
EU-Lebanon
The European Union Wednesday called on the Zionist state to lift its air and sea blockade on Lebanon at once.

"I hope the lifting of the blockade will be much earlier. I hope it will be immediately," EU Commissioner for external relations Benita-Ferrero Waldner told a news conference in Brussels Wednesday afternoon.

She was referring to a statement by the Zionist Premier Ehud Olmert saying that the seven-week blockade would only be lifted once the ceasefire terms were fully implemented.

UN chief Kofi Annan said in the Zionist state on Tuesday that Israel was responsible for 'most of the violations of the cease-fire in south Lebanon' and called on Israel to lift its 'humiliating air and sea blockade of Lebanon'.

Ferrero-Waldner said she will participate in the International Donor Conference on Lebanon in Stockholm on Thursday, where she will pledge 42 million euro as a first contribution to Lebanon's recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

"The first meeting is to demonstrate solidarity with the Lebanese people," stressed the commissioner.

"Tomorrow's pledge brings the total made available by the European Commission in the immediate aftermath of the recent conflict to over 100 million euro (including humanitarian assistance). The Commission will continue to support Lebanon as the reconstruction program progresses," she said.

Ferrero-Waldner said that only money will not be enough to rebuild Lebanon and called for laying the groundwork for a longer term recovery through support for crucial political and economic reforms.

"The key to Lebanon's successful recovery will be the full empowerment of a sovereign and independent Lebanese government. The money we pledge in Stockholm is only one ingredient in a mix that must also include implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and a return to political stability via Lebanon's own National Dialogue," she added.

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