EU Expresses 'Full' Support to State Institutions as Ashton Set to Visit Lebanon
European Union ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst stressed on Monday that the EU voices its full support to the Lebanese state institutions amid the “critical” stage it's passing through, saying that EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will not postpone her scheduled visit on Tuesday.
The EU supports the Lebanese institutions, in particular, the security agencies and the army, Eichhorst said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.
Asked about the EU's stance on the March 14 opposition's demands to topple the cabinet led by Prime Minister Najib Miqati, she pointed out that the accurate question is how it can assist the Lebanese officials in taking the right decision during this stage, especially, with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri , and Miqati.
Clashes broke out on Sunday after the funeral of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan between mourners and the security forces near the Grand Serail.
Police fired in the air and used tear gas to drive back protesters who tried to storm Miqati's office.
Opposition figures have called for Miqati to resign along with his government, which is dominated by pro-Syria parties.
The opposition has blamed Syrian President Bashar Assad for Friday's car bomb blast, which killed Hasan and two other people in Beirut's Ashrafiyeh neighborhood.
It also holds Assad responsible for the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri, who was killed in a huge blast in Beirut.
The EU does stand not with or against any party in Lebanon and it refuses to be driven to this point ... It calls on the Lebanese to unite to maintain the unity of the country, Eichhorst said.
The EU official stressed the importance of the resumption of the all-party talks between Lebanese foes again.
The last dialogue session was held on September 20.
She noted that Ashton will not postpone her visit to Beirut.
Ashton is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Tuesday.
She seeks to offer the EU's full support to the Lebanese state institutions and the army... She will also tackle the conditions of the Syrian refugees in the country, Eichhorst added.
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