By Daisy Ayliffe - 13th July 2006
The EU has warned Israel that air and sea blockades against Lebanon contravene international law.
The Finnish EU presidency has expressed "great concern" about Israel’s "disproportionate use of violence in Lebanon".“Actions, which are contrary to international humanitarian law, can only aggravate the vicious circle of violence and retribution, and cannot serve anyone's legitimate security interests,” said a statement.
“The imposition of an air and sea blockades on Lebanon cannot be justified.”
The deteriorating situation in the Middle East is set to dominate a Brussels meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday.
“There was once UN involvement in this process and there may be a need for that again,” Finnish foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja told reporters on Friday.
“The presidency urges all countries in the region to work for the restoration of calm in order to avoid the further escalation of the situation into war.”
Israel stepped up its attacks on Lebanon on Friday after the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah.
The Lebanese militants have said the captured soldiers will not be returned without a release deal for Palestinian, Lebanese and other Arab prisoners currently held in Israeli jails.
UN secretary general Kofi Annan has said he is "profoundly worried" by the violence and has sent a high-level team to the middle east.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will also head to the region this weekend to meet officials on both sides.
“So far we have not seen the Israeli government say it plans to occupy Lebanon again - but the Israeli government has not shared its strategic goals with us,” Tuomioja commented on Friday.
“No occupation of foreign territories is acceptable,” he warned Israel.
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