The European Union (EU) on Saturday welcomed the newly passed UN Security
Council Resolution 1701 aimed at ending the month-old conflict between Israel
and south Lebanon-based Hezbollah.
"I welcome this resolution. With this text, the ground has been laid for a
sustainable settlement of the current conflict," said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU
commissioner for external relations, in a statement.
"Now it is time for action and I call on the parties to follow the resolution
and implement an immediate cessation of hostilities. This is what is needed most
urgently to alleviate the suffering of those innocent civilians caught in the
middle of the conflict."
She promised support for a rapid and full implementation of the resolution
and pledged to continue to participate actively in all diplomatic efforts toward
a lasting solution.
"Yesterday's resolution is an important step toward the end of the conflict.
Now all parties should assume their responsibility and work toward making it
possible."
She also called for the guarantee of humanitarian access to civilian
populations.
"It is also essential now to ensure that the humanitarian aid reaches the
needed. Harming those who have done no harm does not help anybody. Both parties
have a responsibility to ensure that corridors for the safe provision of aid to
the needed Lebanese are open and respected," she said.
Ferrero-Waldner also promised to help Lebanon in its reconstruction, saying:
"Following the Rome conference in the last week of July, the (European)
Commission is already preparing for the provision of assistance for the revival
of Lebanon."
The Security Council resolution 1701, adopted unanimously on Friday,
authorizes 15,000 UN peacekeepers to help Lebanese troops take control of south
Lebanon as Israeli forces that have occupied the area withdraw.
The resolution came after a month of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah
guerrillas. More than 1,100 Lebanese have been killed, mostly in Israeli air
strikes, and over 100 Israelis have died in Hezbollah rocket
attacks.
