Chirac: EU needed unity on Lebanon

PARIS, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- French President Jacques Chirac said Monday the European Union's failure to speak with one voice during the conflict in Lebanon is a sign of weakness.

Chirac spoke to French diplomats at a meeting in Paris, the EU observer said.

"The future of the European project is today predicated on Europe's ability to be a leading political player," Chirac said. "It must be a player able to contribute to a constructive dialogue with the major world powers."

During the conflict, Chirac pushed to give Javier Solana, the union's foreign policy chief, special powers in Lebanon. But Britain objected, and some other states feared ceding control of foreign policy.

As a result, Chirac said, Israel and Lebanon were deluged with delegations representing Finland, the current EU president, the European Commission and member countries.