Solana tours Sderot, denounces Qassam attacks

Solana tours Sderot, denounces Qassam attacks

At a joint press conference with Livni, Solana denounced the ongoing Qassam attacks.

Solana headed to the Middle East on Monday to call for a halt to the latest upsurge in violence in the region, his office said in a statement.

In addition to Israel, Solana plans on visiting the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Egypt during his four-day trip, the statement said.

There has been a significant increase in violence across the region in recent weeks, with Palestinian infighting and Israeli strikes on Gaza sparked by Qassam rocket fire on its southern communities.

In Lebanon, the army is battling Palestinian and Qaida-linked militants in the worst violence to hit the country since the end of the civil war there more than 15 years ago.

Solana will express the EU's support for the latest Arab League peace initiative and backing for the Lebanese government, as well as underscoring the importance of national unity among the Palestinians, the statement from his office added.

Solana is due to meet Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.