BEIRUT, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday called on the EU to pressure Israel to halt its attacks in southern Lebanon, including the destruction of homes and the targeting of paramedics, journalists, and civil defense personnel.
Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with visiting European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib at Baabda Palace.
According to a presidency statement, Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to a ceasefire and stressed the need for a comprehensive halt to hostilities to pave the way for the redeployment of the Lebanese army up to the internationally-recognized border, the release of Lebanese detainees, and the return of displaced residents whose number has risen to nearly 1 million.
He warned that humanitarian needs are rising amid severe damage to homes, agricultural lands, and infrastructure.
For her part, Lahbib reaffirmed the EU's support, including its political backing for negotiations and the principle of state monopoly over arms.
She noted that the EU has mobilized more than 3.5 billion euros (about 4.1 billion U.S. dollars) for Lebanon since 2011, including over 1 billion euros in humanitarian aid. Following renewed hostilities and displacement in March, the EU rapidly allocated 100 million euros in humanitarian assistance and sent seven humanitarian aid flights to Beirut.
Lahbib added that more than half of Lebanon's population now relies on humanitarian assistance, stressing that humanitarian aid alone could not resolve the crisis.
She also called for respect for Lebanon's territorial integrity, urged Hezbollah to stop its attacks and be disarmed, and demanded that Israel halt strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and bridges.
The meeting came amid continued tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border despite an extended ceasefire agreement reached last month. ■
