EU allocates 5 million euro for aid to Lebanon

KUN0038 4 GEN 0170 FRANCE /AFP -DJI9 POL-EU-LEBANON-AID EU allocates 5 million euro for aid to Lebanon BRUSSELS, July 18 (KUNA) -- The European Commission announced Tuesday that it has availed 5 million to a humanitarian fund for possible relief action in Lebanon "in response to the unfolding tragedy in the Middle East. "Innocent people are suffering as the conflict intensifies and we have a duty to ease that suffering as quickly and effectively as possible," said EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel in a statement received by KUNA. "The warring parties must surely recognize that everyone loses the longer the fighting goes on. At the very least, they are obliged to respect the basic principles of international humanitarian law. "They must stop indiscriminate attacks that kill and maim civilians and drive people from their homes. And they must provide secure humanitarian corridors enabling relief agencies to enter the conflict zone and carry out their work unmolested," he said. (end) bk.mab KUNA 181436 Jul 06NNNN