The European Council notes the withdrawal of Syrian military forces from Lebanon and the impending return of the United Nations verification team to the country. It reaffirms the importance it attaches to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon and reiterates its call for Security Council Resolution 1559 to be implemented in full. In this connection it renews its full support for Mr Terje Roed-Larsen's mission.
The European Council welcomes the smooth conduct, so far, of Lebanon's parliamentary elections, which correspond to the Lebanese people's desire for independence. It awaits with interest the overall report which will be drawn up by the European Union's Election Observation Mission after the elections.
The European Council strongly condemns the recent politically motivated attacks and assassinations, expresses its dismay at their destabilising effect, and calls for their perpetrators to be brought to justice at the earliest opportunity.
The European Council reaffirms its support for the independent international investigation Commission into the assassination of Rafic Hariri which was set up in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1595. It renews its appeal to the Lebanese authorities to continue to provide their unqualified support to the international investigation Commission and hopes that the latter will be able to bring its work rapidly to a successful conclusion.