EU Council Conclusions on Lebanon

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on the UNIFIL, in particular the one that claimed the lives of six peacekeepers of the Spanish contingent on 24 June 2007. It expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Spain. This further attempt to destabilise Lebanon will not succeed.

2. The Council is determined to reinforce Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, free from foreign interference, and reaffirms its support for the legitimate and democratic government of Prime Minister Siniora.

3. The Council remains deeply concerned regarding the continuing violence in Lebanon, and in particular the fighting in the Palestinian refugee camp at Nahr al Bared. It reiterates its condemnation of the attacks on Lebanese security forces by terrorist groups operating from Palestinian camps. It expresses its support to the Lebanese Armed Forces engaged in Nahr al Bared.

4. The Council urges all political forces in Lebanon to search for a solution to the current political deadlock and to develop the widest possible consensus for the forthcoming election of the President of the Republic and the formation of a broad-based and representative government. Dialogue and full respect for the democratic institutions of the country should be the guiding principles of the political process, in the interest of all Lebanese people.

5. In this regard, the Council welcomes the inter-Lebanese meeting facilitated by France at la Celle Saint-Cloud on 14-15 July. It welcomes the atmosphere of confidence created between the representatives of the main political forces and urges the political factions in Lebanon to honour their commitment to pursue the dialogue reinitiated in that occasion. The Council welcomes all constructive initiatives aimed at securing peace and stability, including those by the Arab League and Saudi Arabia, and calls on all parties in the region to refrain from destabilising the country.

6. The Council reaffirms its commitment to the full and speedy implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions concerning Lebanon. It reiterates the need for disbanding and disarming all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias as called for by UNSC Resolution 1559. There should be no weapons in Lebanon without the consent of its Government and no authority other than that of its Government. The Council also reaffirms its commitment to the full and speedy implementation of Resolution 1701 and, in this regard, welcomes the latest report of the UN Secretary General. The Council reiterates its call to Israel to stop violations of Lebanese airspace by the Israeli Air Force. It stresses the importance of securing the Lebanese-Syrian border and welcomes the report of the Lebanon Independent Border Assessment Team. The Council calls on all states and all parties to fully cooperate with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon established by UNSC Resolution 1757.

7. The Council reiterates its call for the immediate release of the two Israeli soldiers abducted a year ago this month."

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• EU Council Conclusions on Lebanon (19/11/2007)
• "From Early Warning to Early Action: developing the EU's response to crisis and longer-term threats" - Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero Waldner (12/11/2007)
• EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner condemns latest bomb attack in Beirut (19/9/2007)
• Lebanon: EU Commission allocates €4m in humanitarian aid for victims of fighting in Nahr el Bared refugee camp  (3/8/2007)
• EUHR Solana offers his condolences following the death in Lebanon of six soldiers in the Spanish contingent of UNIFIL (24/6/2007)
• Lebanon: EU Commission allocates €370,000 in humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees (25/5/2007)
• EUHR Solana expresses EU's full support for Lebanese PM Siniora (23/5/2007)
• EU Presidency Statement - United Nations: Financing the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (2/4/2007)
• EU External Relations Council Conclusions (24/1/2007)