EU Presidency Statement on the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border

The Presidency of the European Union is alarmed about the deterioration of the security situation on the Israel-Lebanon border, involving the firing of rockets into Israel and the taking prisoner of two Israeli soldiers, leading to military action being taken by Israel in response.

The Presidency calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any action which would cause an escalation of the already tense situation. Hezbollah should immediately and unconditionally release the captured Israeli soldiers, and cease all attacks on Israel. The Lebanese government also has a responsibility to prevent a deterioration of the situation. In this context, the Presidency recalls the need for the Lebanese State to restore its sovereignty over the whole of its national territory and to exercise the sole rights to the use of force on that territory. The Presidency urges all countries in the region to act responsibly and to do everything possible to calm the situation.

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• EU Presidency Statement on the recent developments in Israel and Lebanon  (13/7/2006)
• Middle East: Commission allocates €34 million in humanitarian aid to vulnerable Palestinian populations in the West Bank and Gaza and in Lebanon (7/7/2006)