Israël wellicht bereid EU vredestroepen in Libanon te accepteren (en)

Israel has signalled it could accept a European peacekeeping force in Lebanon if it has a stronger mandate and more soldiers than current UN troops operating in the region.

"Israel is ready to see deployment of a force with military capabilities and combat experience made up of troops from European Union countries once its mandate has been fixed," Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday (23 July), following talks with envoys from Germany, France and the UK.

Earlier this month, several EU foreign ministers suggested their countries would support a new UN mission once the international community agrees on the details of its deployment.

Mr Olmert said the new peacekeeping team should be capable of controlling crossings between Syria and Lebanon and be able to support the Lebanese army in dismantling the military power of Hezbollah.

He denied allegations his government is preparing to attack Syria, which Jerusalem has repeatedly accused of supplying weapons to Hezbollah, but warned that "If Syria joins the conflict, we will react severely."

The Israeli announcement came after top level meetings with German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy and British foreign office minister Kim Howells.

Mr Douste-Blazy visited the northern city of Haifa, where he called for a ceasefire "which answers Israel's legitimate aspiration to live in security and a ceasefire which preserves the state of Lebanon," according to European media.

But the BBC reports that Jerusalem has indicated it will need another week or ten days to conclude its operation.

At least 362 Lebanese and 37 Israelis have been killed since the violence started a fortnight ago, with civilian casualties on both sides.

The conflict was triggered by the capture of two Israeli soldiers on 12 July by Hezbollah which demanded an exchange for their own people jailed in Israel.

Brussels helps out

Meanwhile, the European Commission has responded to Lebanese calls for help by activating a so-called EU civil protection mechanism which pools member states' resources for coordinated assistance to disaster-stricken countries.

The monitoring and information centre which conducts humanitarian activities on behalf of the EU has informed member states of the most urgent needs of Lebanon - such as medical supplies, materials for shelter and construction and fire-fighting equipment.

Cyprus has also been negotiating with other EU member states on how to coordinate the transport of other countries' nationals that have been evacuated to the Mediterranean island from Lebanon in recent days.