EU Accuses Israel Over Attacks on Lebanon

A Lebanese citizen clears debris to release the body of a victim buried under rubble after Israeli warplanes targeted a house in the village of Zebqin, in the southern town of Tyre, Lebanon, Thursday, July 13, 2006. Israeli forces intensified their attacks in Lebanon on Thursday, imposing a naval blockade on the country and pounding its only international airport and the Hezbollah TV station in Israel's heaviest air campaign against Lebanon for 24 years. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari) (Mohammed Zaatari - AP)

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Union on Thursday criticized Israel for using "disproportionate" force in its attacks on Lebanon following the cross-border raid by Hezbollah guerillas who captured two Israeli soldiers.

The EU also called Israel's naval blockade cutting off supply routes to Lebanon unjustified.

Separately, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he was planning a peace mission to the Middle East.

"The European Union is greatly concerned about the disproportionate use of force by Israel in Lebanon in response to attacks by Hezbollah on Israel," according to a statement issued by Finland, which holds the EU's rotating presidency. "The presidency deplores the loss of civilian lives and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. The imposition of an air and sea blockade on Lebanon cannot be justified."

In the EU's strongest comment on the escalating violence, the statement said "actions, which are contrary to international humanitarian law, can only aggravate the vicious circle of violence and retribution, and cannot serve anyone's legitimate security interests."

It called for the immediate release of the Israeli soldiers, and urged "all countries in the region to work for the restoration of calm in order to avoid the further escalation of the situation into war."

Solana said he was in "permanent contact" with players in the region and with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. "Following these contacts, I envisage going to the region," he said in a statement.

EU diplomats said it was unclear when Solana would leave, but it could be before Monday's meeting of European foreign ministers in Brussels.

France's foreign minister, meanwhile, condemned Israel's attacks as "a disproportionate act of war." Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy also told France's Europe-1 radio that France was calling for "the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon to be preserved."

He said France would support the Lebanese request that the U.N. Security Council take up the issue as soon as possible.

In Germany en route to the G-8 summit in Russia, President Bush said Israel has the right to defend itself.

He laid the blame for the escalation of violence on Hezbollah and said Syria "needs to be held to account" for supporting and harboring Hezbollah.