Brussels, 28/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 October, the European Union “strongly” condemned the continued attacks by violent extremist groups on the Lebanese security forces. The European External Action Service (EEAS) tweeted that “the spiralling violence” was “deeply worrying” and that the EU was following the situation closely. “The EU is conscious of the gravity and urgency of the extremist threat”, the EEAS stated.
The EEAS also commended the Lebanese security agencies for their efforts to respond to the security threats and challenges. It recalled that the EU was ready to cooperate at the regional level as part of a common comprehensive strategy, and reaffirmed European commitment to the unity, stability, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.
On 27 October, the Lebanese army regained control of Bab al-Tebbane, an Islamic stronghold, after three days of fighting between soldiers and Islamists from al-Nusra. The fighting claimed 16 lives, including those of at least two soldiers, and left over 150 wounded, causing several thousand civilians to flee. This is the first time in a decade that the army has managed to penetrate the sector. (CG)