|
War 'will strengthen Hezbollah'
01/08/2006 14:45 - (SA)
Brussels - The European Union's presidency warned on Tuesday that Israel's offensive in southern Lebanon would only increase support for Hezbollah militants, as the bloc's foreign ministers worked toward a call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
They were also discussing the composition of a possible UN force to stabilise the region, a force French defence minister Michele Alliot-Marie said must be "very large" and be authorised to open fire, according to an interview published on Tuesday in the newspaper Le Monde.
Alliot-Marie said the force must be well armed, with a specific mission and substantial power, unlike the UN's existing UNIFIL force in south Lebanon, the newspaper said.
She was quoted as saying UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's troop estimate of 10 000 was too low.
Increased support for Hezbollah
Finnish foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja, whose country holds the EU presidency, said the Israeli offensive was "unlikely to bring military success." The conflict was instead "certain to increase support for Hezbollah in the region".
He made his comments to party leaders at the European Parliament before the foreign ministers' talks.
The bloc is under growing pressure to exert its will to end the fighting in Lebanon Tuomioja said.
Syria
"Everyday tensions increase with Syria and other parties. ... Moderate Arab governments are understandably concerned about stability in the region," he said.
France, which has historic ties to Lebanon, has been mentioned as a contributor and possible leader of a multinational peacekeeping force.
EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that to influence Israel, the bloc must have a united position, and added that any solution should include Syria.
"Like it or not, they're an influential player in the region," said Ferrero-Waldner.
- AP
|
News
