EU leaders demand Syria stop meddling in Lebanon

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
EU leaders on Friday urged Syria to stop meddling in Lebanon and to help stabilize the crisis-hit country. In a closing statement at the end of a two-day summit, EU leaders say Damascus "must end all interference in Lebanese internal affairs and actively engage in the stabilization of Lebanon and the region." The statement, to be issued later Friday, reflects French insistence that the EU take a stronger line against Syria. Paris has close relations with Lebanon and has been concerned that Germany in particular is going soft on Damascus. The EU condemned the assassination last month of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, an anti-Syrian Christian leader, and "any attempt by internal or external forces to destabilize Lebanon through political assassinations or terrorist acts."