European Union (EU) officials are traveling to the Middle East in an attempt to bring to an end the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and assess the humanitarian needs in Lebanon.

EU common foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana will visit Lebanon, Israel as well as Palestinian territories over the weekend for top-level discussions with leaders in the region.

He is working for an end to hostilities and the launching of a process to create the political framework for a lasting solution. He is trying to secure agreement on a UN Security Council resolution aimed at bringing the conflict to an end.

Solana will meet Lebanese leaders in Beirut on Friday and Saturday and Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Sunday.

EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, Louis Michel, will visit Lebanon and Israel from Monday to Thursday to try to secure humanitarian access to victims of the conflict.

During his three-day tour in Lebanon, Michel will meet Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and other government officials. He will also meet aid workers and visit centers for internally displaced people to learn directly about the humanitarian priorities and practical challenges.

In Tel Aviv on Thursday, Michel will meet Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Amir Peretz.

"Secure humanitarian access to victims of the conflict and an end to hostilities -- these are the top priorities that I will address during my visit," said Michel.

"I call again for respect of the international humanitarian rules that are designed to limit the effects of armed conflict on non-combatants. Every day, innocent people are dying. Thousands more have been injured and hundreds of thousands uprooted.

"Conditions are deteriorating for civilians in Lebanon as well as in northern Israel. The situation in southern Lebanon is particularly critical and it is vital to restore access to the people trapped there who urgently need help."

The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, has mobilized initial emergency humanitarian funding worth 20 million euros (25.5 million U.S. dollars).

In addition to the 20 million euros already committed for relief activities in Lebanon, the commission is proposing the allocation of further substantial humanitarian support. The aim is to increase the overall amount available to 50 million euros (64 million dollars).