Brussels, 31/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - The External Relations and General Affairs Council is meeting up in Brussels on Tuesday 1 August to take stock of the situation in Lebanon. The meeting aims to show that the EU is still active in its commitment and is part of the diplomatic efforts being undertaken by the international community, mainly within the United Nations Security Council, to put an end to a war between Israel and Hezbollah.
EU foreign ministers will gather during a lunchtime meeting (this will possibly be followed by a working session if it proves necessary) to deal with all aspects of the crisis: the immediate cessation of hostilities, ceasefire, a political settlement of the conflict, deployment of an international force in southern Lebanon and the humanitarian chapter. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP, Finland's Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja (whose country holds EU Presidency until 31 December 2006) and External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner will report on the visits that they have made to the region and on the talks that they have held with the main EU partners. Ministers will also discuss the situation in the Palestinian territories, and in Gaza in particular, that have been a little forgotten by the press which has its eyes riveted on Lebanon. Further to the Rome Conference, the aim is to show that the EU continues to remain actively committed not only from the diplomatic but also from the humanitarian point of view, and that it is preparing to support the international effort being made, especially within the Security Council, to put an end to the crisis. As we go to press, it is still not known whether the Council at the end of its work has adopted formal conclusions or if it will make a simple declaration to the presidency of the Council. The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU (Coreper) is in principle expected to meet up before Tuesday morning's meeting.
On Monday 31 July, France is to present to the UN Security Council a draft resolution providing for an immediate stop to hostilities, the creation of conditions necessary for a permanent ceasefire and a lasting political solution, and the deployment of an international force along the Israeli-Lebanese border. France is willing to take part in such a force on condition that a ceasefire is in place and a political agreement has been reached between the two parties, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin explained, cited by Reuters. Citing Israeli officials and western diplomats, if the UN Security Council approves the resolution this week, a first contingent could reach the conflict area by next week, Reuters continues. A “preliminary” meeting of countries that could “potentially” contribute to such a force will take place the same day, an UN press release states. In addition to France, several other EU countries have stated their readiness to take part - Ireland, Sweden, Spain and Italy - but the deployment of such a force would require the contribution of many other countries, not just European.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was going to push very hard to have a ceasefire and a lasting solution to the crisis this week. Speaking from Jerusalem, on 31 July before she left to fly back to Washington, Ms Rice also announced that the United States will this week be presenting a draft resolution to the UN Security Council for a ceasefire, a political settlement to the conflict and the creation of an international force in Lebanon. She also managed to have Israel suspend its air strikes on southern Lebanon for 48 hours from the morning of 31 July. During this time, Israel has agreed to organise with the United Nations a 24-hour period to allow Lebanese civilians that wish to do so to leave the region. Israel immediately announced that its decision did not mean the conflict.
This decision comes the day after the Israeli bombing of a residential building in Qana, southern Lebanon, killing nearly 60 Lebanese civilians, many of whom were children. At an emergency meeting on 30 July, at the request of the Secretary General, Kofi Annan, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a declaration in which he expresses his extreme shock and sorry at the bombing but does not condemn the Hebrew State. In a press release Javier Solana also spoke of his profound dismay and deep sorrow at the attack and the death of innocent civilians in Qana”. He added: “Nothing can justify that. The EU, he said, “is continuously working to reach an immediate ceasefire”.