For the first time, a senior European Union official has held official talks with Hizbullah terrorists. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana met with Hizbullah member of the Lebanese parliament Hussein Hajj Hassan in what was called a "goodwill gesture," designed, said Solana, to allow him to get to "know Hizbullah better. Hizbullah is part of political life in Lebanon and is represented in the Lebanese parliament," Solana said, explaining why the EU has reversed its policy on meeting with the terror group.

Hassan praised Solana, saying that the meeting "means more EU overtures towards Hizbullah, and at a higher level," adding that he hoped the new policy on meeting with the group was part of an EU move "towards more realism."