The flag of the European Union flies in front of the European Parliament building in Strasbourg. (Credit: AFP)
The European Union welcomed the truce agreed in Washington between Lebanon and Israel, even as fighting continues and the cease-fire has yet to be observed by either Hezbollah or the Israeli army, which continues to carry out attacks in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
In a statement issued Saturday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for the rejection of what she described as "any additional Hezbollah conditions."
"The cease-fire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, negotiated by the United States, is a renewed opportunity to end the conflict and achieve lasting peace and security," the statement said. "The EU believes that Israel and Lebanon will continue direct negotiations in a constructive spirit. We urge all parties to fully respect the terms of the agreement and to reject any additional Hezbollah conditions."
The statement, relayed by Kallas' spokesperson Anouar El Anouni, also called for an immediate end to "all military actions."
"Hezbollah must withdraw from the area south of the Litani River. The EU also urges Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory," the statement said, adding that the bloc "will continue to support the Lebanese government and stands ready to assist with the implementation of an agreement between Israel and Lebanon."
"The people of Lebanon and Israel have the right to live in peace and security in their own homes, free from the threat of renewed conflict," it added. "The people of Lebanon are paying a heavy and unacceptable humanitarian and socioeconomic price due to the continued escalation and airstrikes."
Support for the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL
The EU said its support for the Lebanese Army "remains a decisive tool" in helping the Lebanese government establish the state's monopoly on arms throughout the country. It highlighted a new 100 million euro ($115 million) assistance package adopted on June 4.
The bloc also called for the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel and calls for respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the disarmament of non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah.
The EU reaffirmed its support for the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, and its mandate.
It "strongly condemns all attacks against its personnel, including the death of a soldier during the June 4 attacks — the seventh peacekeeper to be killed since March — and expresses its sincere condolences to his family," the statement said.
"A continued U.N. presence in Lebanon in the post-UNIFIL context remains essential to ensure the "implementation of Resolution 1701," it added.
The cease-fire agreement negotiated in Washington has been welcomed by Western governments but rejected by Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement.
Since the resumption of the war on March 2, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 3,593 people and wounded 10,990 others. On Saturday, two officers and a Lebanese soldier were killed in an Israeli strike on a military vehicle in Khardali, southern Lebanon.
During the previous cease-fire, which lasted about 18 months, Israel carried out near-daily strikes in Lebanon, saying it was responding to Hezbollah violations. Israel also maintained positions inside Lebanese territory and declined to withdraw from them before the fighting resumed on March 2.
