Brussels, 02/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Saturday 30 August, the European Union condemned the continual attacks by violent extremist groups against the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in the Arsal region, in Eastern Lebanon. The fighting broke out on 28 August. “We welcome the determination of the Lebanese political leaders to put an end to the terrorism and violent extremism. We also hail the joint efforts of the Lebanese security agencies to respond, on the front line, to the numerous challenges and threats”, said the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. Ashton's spokesperson called for the “immediate” release of the Lebanese soldiers and officers who were abducted. While four soldiers and a police officer were released on 30 August, a month after their capture, around 20 others are still being detained by jidhadists.
Ashton's spokesperson reiterated that the EU fully supports Lebanon in all efforts to address the severe security, political, economic and social challenges the country is facing. (CG)