EU to signal tough line towards Syria on Lebanon

BRUSSELS, Dec 15 (Reuters) European Union leaders were set to take a tough line towards Syria over Lebanon today, according to a draft summit statement.

The 25-nation bloc called for full respect for Lebanese democratic institutions and said: ''Syria must end all interference in Lebanese internal affairs and actively engage in the stabilisation of Lebanon and the region.

''Syria needs to do so to be in a position to develop normal relations with the international community, including with the EU,'' said the statement drafted after foreign ministers discussed the West Asia at a summit dinner.

It also urged Israel to stop violations of Lebanese airspace by air force overflights which have created tension with the mainly European UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

The Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah movement, backed by Syria and Iran, and other pro-Syrian Lebanese opposition groups have staged mass demonstrations to try to topple the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

The EU wording appeared to reflect the ascendancy of France's hard line towards Damascus over those member states which want to develop better relations with Syria now.

The statement demanded that Syria recognise and cooperate with a special tribunal for Lebanon, created to try those responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri last year.

Hariri was a close friend of French President Jacques Chirac. His murder sparked mass protests that forced the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon under United Nations pressure.

The EU also condemned the killing last month of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel and ''any attempt by internal or external forces to destabilise Lebanon through political assassinations or other terrorist acts.'' REUTERS SY RAI1451