EU Delegation Reiterates Support for State Institutions after Meeting with Rahi
European Union ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst on Tuesday reiterated the EU's support to the Lebanese institutions, stressing that security agencies "must be able to ensure peace and security throughout the territory."
"The security incidents in (the southern city of) Sidon, as well as in (the northern city of) Tripoli, the Bekaa and even in Beirut, once again demonstrate the volatility of the situation,” Eichhorst said in a released statement after heading a delegation of ambassadors and representatives of EU member states who met with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki.
She added: “We reiterate our support to the Lebanese institutions and security agencies must be able to ensure peace and security throughout the territory.”
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and with all the inhabitants of the areas affected by the violence. We also support the efforts of all those who work for calm and dialogue.”
The statement stressed on EU's commitment to the “security, unity, sovereignty and prosperity of Lebanon,” noting that dialogue “remains the best way of resolving conflicts.”
The diplomats called again for respecting Lebanon's dissociation policy towards Syria's events, and the Baabda Declaration.
At least 16 soldiers were killed and 50 were wounded in the clashes with the armed supporters of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in Sidon in the past two days.
More than 20 of al-Asir's supporters were killed, according to a security official.
Dozens of them were also arrested, but there was no sign of the cleric.
The clashes in the southern city are one of the most intense bouts of violence in Lebanon linked to the conflict in Syria.
The delegation also discussed with al-Rahi the humanitarian crisis caused by the large number of Syrian refugees fleeing their war-torn country and coming to Lebanon.
The released statement revealed that EU institutions and member states have allocated more than 1.25 billion Euros in response to the crisis in Syria and neighboring countries, including about 250 million Euros for Lebanon.
“Lebanon and its people have demonstrated a great humanity in welcoming in their homes, in their country, a large number of refugees fleeing the violence in Syria. We sincerely appreciate their solidarity and we support them as much as possible.”
Source: Agence France Presse
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