The European Parliament adopted by 473 votes to 8, with 33 abstentions, a resolution on the situation in Lebanon.

The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, Greens/EFA, and GUE/NGL groups.

Parliament c ondemns unequivocally the bomb attack in Beirut on 14 February 2005 which killed the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri , and other innocent civilians. It recalls that Rafik Hariri was one of the most influential politicians and one of the most devoted to the reconciliation process in Lebanon and a strong supporter of the withdrawal of foreign troops from his country.

It calls for every effort to be made to ascertain the causes, circumstances and consequences of this attack and calls on the Lebanese authorities to continue to cooperate with the UN's fact-finding mission.

Parliament believes that this crime must not thwart the electoral process in Lebanon. It calls for consideration to be given to a European Union observer mission to monitor the parliamentary elections in Lebanon.

Parliament calls on the Commission to initiate immediate cooperation by supporting civil society and independent NGOs through the MEDA programme and the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.

In addition, Parliament calls on Syria not to tolerate any form of terrorism, including support for the operations of Hezbollah and other armed groups. It c onsiders that clear evidence exists of terrorist activities on the part of Hezbollah and that the Council should take all necessary steps to curtail them.

Parliament considers it important, to that end, that a direct dialogue be re-established between

Syria and Israel with a view to ensuring peace and security for those countries.

Parliament also calls on Syria to fully cooperate with the European Union in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and to refrain from all interference in Lebanon's internal affairs . It calls for the complete withdrawal of Syrian troops and of its intelligence services from Lebanon, as indicated in the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

Lastly, Parliament considers that the conclusion of the Association Agreement with Syria and further development of the European Neighbourhood Policy towards that country will be possible only on the basis of a clear commitment by Syria in that regard.

The European Parliament adopted by 473 votes to 8, with 33 abstentions, a resolution on the situation in Lebanon.

The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, Greens/EFA, and GUE/NGL groups.

Parliament c ondemns unequivocally the bomb attack in Beirut on 14 February 2005 which killed the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri , and other innocent civilians. It recalls that Rafik Hariri was one of the most influential politicians and one of the most devoted to the reconciliation process in Lebanon and a strong supporter of the withdrawal of foreign troops from his country.

It calls for every effort to be made to ascertain the causes, circumstances and consequences of this attack and calls on the Lebanese authorities to continue to cooperate with the UN's fact-finding mission.

Parliament believes that this crime must not thwart the electoral process in Lebanon. It calls for consideration to be given to a European Union observer mission to monitor the parliamentary elections in Lebanon.

Parliament calls on the Commission to initiate immediate cooperation by supporting civil society and independent NGOs through the MEDA programme and the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.

In addition, Parliament calls on Syria not to tolerate any form of terrorism, including support for the operations of Hezbollah and other armed groups. It c onsiders that clear evidence exists of terrorist activities on the part of Hezbollah and that the Council should take all necessary steps to curtail them.

Parliament considers it important, to that end, that a direct dialogue be re-established between

Syria and Israel with a view to ensuring peace and security for those countries.

Parliament also calls on Syria to fully cooperate with the European Union in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and to refrain from all interference in Lebanon's internal affairs . It calls for the complete withdrawal of Syrian troops and of its intelligence services from Lebanon, as indicated in the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

Lastly, Parliament considers that the conclusion of the Association Agreement with Syria and further development of the European Neighbourhood Policy towards that country will be possible only on the basis of a clear commitment by Syria in that regard.