BRUSSELS, June 26 (UPI) -- Members of the European Union stand united in their support for Lebanon's sovereignty and national security, foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
At least 17 members of the Lebanese military were killed during weekend fighting in the coastal city of Sidon. During the melee, Lebanese forces managed to capture a compound held by Sunni leader Ahmad Assir, an opponent of the Lebanese resistance movement and Syrian ally Hezbollah.
Lebanon's national security has faced increased threats from Syrian civil war. Pro- and anti-Syrian forces have waged battle this year on Lebanon's side of the border.
Ashton said Wednesday the commitment to Lebanon was strong among EU member states.
"The European Union reiterates its commitment to Lebanon's peace, unity, sovereignty and independence," she said in a statement.
International leaders are searching for ways to resolve the Syrian crisis. Syrian peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said Tuesday a political dialogue conference proposed by the United States and Russia will probably not happen before July.
Former Lebanese President Amine Gemayel, leader of the pro-Western Phalange party, was quoted by the official National News Agency as saying he was frustrated with the efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis.
"The scene in Syria uncovers a confrontation between contradictions: democracy versus dictatorship, Sunnites versus Shiites, Persians versus Arabs, U.S. versus Russia, terrorists under the guise of religion versus everyone," he said.
