28 September 2006

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on Wednesday called on Israel to pull its troops out of his country immediately or risk jeopardizing the cease-fire. "In order for the current cessation of hostilities to be sustained, Israel must withdraw without further delay from the position it still occupies within Lebanon and must stop its violation of Lebanese territory," Siniora told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"There is also a need for concrete steps toward putting an end to the Israeli occupation of the Shebaa Farms," Siniora told the assembled European deputies.

The disputed territory, located at the junction of Lebanon, Syria and Israel, was captured by Israel along with the Golan Heights during the 1967 war.

"We expect our friends, particularly members of the [UN] Security Council, will play an active role in helping resolve the Shebaa Farms issue," Siniora said. "It is time for Israel to put an end to the constant circle of violence which endangers our region."

Siniora thanked the 25-nation European Union for its continued help.

"I would like to pay a special tribute to those European governments which have helped Lebanon during these difficult times, whether through their continued political support or through contributions to UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon]," he said.

The Israeli Army has suspended its withdrawal from Southern Lebanon, where it still controls most of the border.

During his speech, Siniora also conveyed the Lebanese people's suffering by describing the "severe" material and humanitarian losses inflicted on Lebanon during Israel's devastating month-long offensive.

He also called for further European support for his war-ravaged country.

European contributions to Lebanon's reconstruction following a month of fighting with Israel this summer total around $422 million, and EU nations have said that they will contribute around 7,000 peacekeepers to bolster the UN mission in South Lebanon.

Siniora also tackled the issue of the broader Arab-Israeli conflict, urging European countries to resolve this "key matter which is responsible for all the problems plaguing the region."

Siniora left for the European Parliament on Wednesday for talks with senior EU lawmakers, amid the EU assembly's call for sustainable regional peace.

Accompanied by Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, Justice Minister Charles Rizk, Culture Minister Tareq Mitri and Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh, Siniora met with chairmen of the Parliament's political groups and the assembly's president, Joseph Borrell, who visited Lebanon two weeks ago. - Agencies