Brussels, 17/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday the External relations Council expressed the support of the EU for a “souvereign, independent and democratic Lebanon” and reiterated its demand for the “integral and immediate implementation” of Resolution 1559 of the Security Council. In its conclusions, the Council calls on Syria to immediately implement the commitments taken by Syrian president Bachar Al Assad on 12 March to withdrawal all Syrian troops and intelligence services from the Lebanon. EU foreign affairs ministers underlined that this withdrawal must be “complete” and done according to a “specific deadline”. The Council also pointed out the importance the EU attaches to holding, in accordance with the planned deadline, free, transparent and fair elections, in compliance with the Lebanese Constitution and free from any outside interference. The EU will closely follow the electoral process and is prepared to provide assistance, which could include, if needed, an electoral observation mission. The Council again calls on the Lebanese authorities to illustrate the circumstances and identify the guilty parties involved in the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafic Hariri, by way of a “thorough investigation”.
Addressing the press, the President of the Council, Jean Asselborn, stated that, “the first phase of the Syrian troop withdrawal is well underway”…The meeting between the UN Secretary General, Mr Roed-Larsen and president Assad of Syrian last Saturday was positive and produced an exact deadline for the total withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence services from the Lebanon before the elections planned in May. I find this all encouraging and we will continue to follow the situation closely, including the formation of a new provisional government that is able to carry Lebanon forward to its next elections”.