Lebanon: Statement by EU Commission President Barroso

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, said: "The EU is continuing its efforts to respond effectively to the needs of this terrible conflict.

Commissioner Louis Michel will be visiting the region next week to assess the situation on the ground and address the urgent and critical issue of safe and unhindered humanitarian access with both the Lebanese and Israeli authorities.

First and foremost, hostilities must cease immediately. So far at least 1011 Lebanese, many of them civilians, and 116 Israelis have been killed in this conflict. Humanitarian assistance must urgently reach the civilian population, which has suffered too much during this conflict. The EU has already committed and pledged more than €100 million in humanitarian aid for the Lebanese population. For this aid to reach the people in need - and this includes the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced families - safe and unhindered access is essential.

All parties must assume their responsibilities and allow humanitarian assistance to reach the civilian population safely and promptly. High Representative Solana's mission to the region is also a reflection of the EU's continued engagement. Furthermore, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner will continue to participate actively in all diplomatic efforts towards a lasting solution.

Finally, the EU stands ready to support rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, once conditions allow. Following the Rome conference in the last week of July, the Commission is already preparing for the provision of assistance for the revival of Lebanon. Important steps towards ending this conflict must be taken. Both Lebanese and Israelis alike deserve a life in peace, and the EU will do its utmost to help to make it possible.

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• Situation in Middle East - MEPs support UN resolution (7/9/2006)
• Extraordinary EU Council Meeting: Conclusions on Lebanon  (25/8/2006)
• Statement by Commission President José Manuel Barroso on the EU's Role in Lebanon  (24/8/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement - United Nations Security Council: Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (22/8/2006)
• Israel/Lebanon: EU Welcomes UN Resolution (14/8/2006)
• EU Presidency statement on Lebanon (12/8/2006)
• EUHR Solana to to visit Middle East 11-13 August 2006  (10/8/2006)
• EU Commissioner Michel to visit Lebanon and Israel, 14-17 August 2006 (10/8/2006)
• EU Response to conflict in Lebanon (8/8/2006)
• Lebanon: EU Commission regrets worsening access for humanitarian relief  (7/8/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on the situation in the Middle East - the Crisis in Lebanon (1/8/2006)