EUHR Solana expresses EU's full support for Lebanese PM Siniora

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for CFSP, expresses the European Union's full support for Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora and his government, Beirut

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), today met Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in Beirut. The meeting took place on the second day of Mr Solana's tour to several Middle Eastern capitals. During his visit to Beirut, Mr Solana also had the opportunity to exchange views with Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese parliament, and Saad Hariri, leader of the parliamentary majority.

The following is a summary of HR Solana's remarks during a joint press conference with the acting Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Tarek Mitri:

"I have come today to Beirut to show our support for Prime Minister Siniora and his government. Let me also voice my support for today's statement of the Arab League expressing its determination to help Lebanon and to support its army and security forces. I welcome this statement very much. It stresses important points that I would also like to underline.

It is very important to clarify the situation regarding the establishment of the international tribunal under UN resolution 1701. A draft United Nations Security Council resolution is on the table. I hope that this matter will be resolved quickly in order to restore normal conditions for a functioning democracy in Lebanon."

Asked about current developments in the refugee camps in the north of Lebanon, HR Solana said:

"It is not for me to say if the Lebanese army should enter the camps. I am not a Lebanese army commander nor a minister in the government, therefore I do not know the specific strategy and tactics of the armed forces, but I hope their behaviour meets with the high moral values and principles in protecting civilians. Judging from my discussions today, I have the feeling that the army has the broad support of all political forces in Lebanon. This is a very positive sign.

I would like to say very clearly that this is not a battle between the Lebanese and the Palestinian people. Thinking this way would be a mistake, it is rather a confrontation between an armed terrorist group and the Lebanese army. Prime Minister Siniora has been in contact with all Palestinian leaders to discuss the latest developments.

What we are talking about here, are only a few hundred of people organized in Fatah al-Islam. From a military point of view, I doubt that the Lebanese army will face difficulties in controlling the situation, but I believe the army will assert control very effectively as would the army of any democratic country.

We have no evidence of Syrian influence behind these clashes. In this context, I would like to draw your attention to today's Arab League statement condemning the activities of Fatah al-Islam. All Arab League member states, including Syria, have subscribed to this statement."

Mr Solana said he wished very much that "peace and stability will return to Lebanon" and stressed that "the European Union will do what it can to help Lebanon". He expressed his hope that Lebanon will be able "to exit this situation and to confront its economic problems and the political crisis under normal circumstances for a democratic government".

| Arriba |

• EU Council Conclusions on Lebanon (23/7/2007)
• EU Presidency Statement - United Nations: Financing of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (21/3/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Lebanon (12/2/2007)
• Lebanon: EU Commission presents €500m assistance package at Paris Conference (24/1/2007)