EU Envoy Tells Suleiman Decision on Hizbullah Doesn't Affect Financial Support to Lebanon

Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, held talks Monday evening with President Michel Suleiman, following the decision taken by the EU to blacklist the military wing of Hizbullah.

“The EU is sending an important political message: acts of terrorism are unacceptable irrespective of the perpetrators,” Eichhorst said, according to a press release issued by the EU delegation.

She added that this decision “does not prevent the continuation of dialogue with all political parties in Lebanon and will not affect the EU's financial support to Lebanon including humanitarian assistance,” noting that “it will be reviewed on a six monthly basis.”

Eichhorst reiterated the European Union's “commitment to support President Suleiman's call on the political leaders to reconvene the National Dialogue and to discuss a national defense strategy.”

The EU “also supports the efforts of Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam to form a new government,” Eichhorst added.