The EU foreign ministers called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon to be followed by a sustainable ceasefire after meeting in Brussels today. The conclusions reached by the ministers were unanimous, emphasised Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja in a press conference. The extraordinary meeting of the general affairs and external relations council was convened by EU president Finland to assess the situation in Lebanon and to discuss further action.
The call for an immediate cessation of hostilities repeats the council's conclusions a fortnight ago with an added emphasis on a need for a political solution and a sustainable ceasefire. According to Tuomioja, there is no difference between the wording 'immediate cessation of hostilities' and 'immediate ceasefire' to the people in the region, as long as the threat of violence is removed and no weapons will be fired.
While insisting on the urgency of ending the violence, the EU also emphasised the need for negotiations for a political agreement, subscribed by all parties, and the deployment of international troops.
Tuomioja said they would now inform the United States of the EU stand, and the discussion on the UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in Lebanon would continue in New York. He was convinced that a single-minded EU stand would be helpful to the United States, and the five EU member states currently seated in the Security Council, in drafting the resolution.
A UN mandate will be required for the deployment of an international stabilisation force in Lebanon. Several EU member states have pledged troops.
Tuomioja also repeated the need for a continued humanitarian assistance in the region. The combined assistance of the European Union to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon amounts to over 108-million euros in monetary terms alone. In addition, substantial amount of aid in kind in the form of food, medicine, and shelter has been provided.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION ---
PRESS RELEASE