By Daisy Ayliffe - 21st June 2006
Senior Lebanese officials are calling on EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to do more to halt the deteriorating situation in Lebanon.
Walid Jumblatt, the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party is in Brussels to call for international help in creating an independent and democratic Lebanon.
“The situation in Lebanon is getting worse. Syria is becoming more and more menacing in its threats and actions,” Jumblatt told reporters.
“The international community must stand up for Lebanon if it is ever going to be free of Syrian interference. It must put pressure on Syria to implement international agreements such as UN resolutions.”
Jumblatt was once a supporter of Syrian military presence during the Lebanese civil war - but since death of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad in 2000 he has campaigned for an end to Syrian influence.
This has pitted him against the Lebanese president and the Shiite party, Hezbollah who both support Syria.
“I get threatened for what I believe in,” Jumblatt said on Wednesday.
“But I have to fight against this idea and not even think about it. When I see people suffering in Lebanon I realise that duty is duty.”
As the west turns up the heat on Iran over its nuclear programme, the socialist leader is concerned the international community’s view of Lebanon could be clouded.
“Iran is backing Syria and we want the EU to play a role in disengaging Lebanon from that axis,” Jumblatt declared.
On Wednesday the leader of the party of European socialists, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen voiced his support for his Lebanese counterpart.
“I am encouraged by the dialogue among Lebanese national leaders and we in Europe must do all we can to help them implement their decisions,” the Danish MEP said.
“Syria must start treating Lebanon as a neighbouring sovereign state. The EU must demand that Syria stops its intimidation and violence. It should also be pressing the UN to go ahead with its proposed tribunal with an international character to bring to justice those responsible for the recent political assassinations in Lebanon.”
On Thursday Jumblatt will hold meetings with Solana as well as PES European Parliamentary Group President, Martin Schulz and senior Belgian officials.
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