In a statement following what he called a "frank" meeting with Israel's Foreign Minister Tzippy Livni, Solana condemned the kidnapping of three IDF soldiers, but said he recommended that Israel "act proportionately" in its attacks on Hizbullah and do everything to avoid hurting Lebanese civilians. The EU emissary said that in such a manner, Israel would be able to win the hearts of the citizens of southern Lebanon.
Solana made a veiled reference to Syria and Iran, calling for such countries with influence over Hizbullah to use it. "I'd like to say also very clearly: those that may have influence to help solve this problem - they have to do it soon - immediately," Solana said.
Asked about the EU's refusal to classify Hizbullah as a terrorist group, Solana said that the EU does not possess sufficient data to determine whether the group can be included on its list of terrorist organizations. He insisted that the issue was a legal one and not a moral one.
Later in the day, Solana met with Defense Minister Amir Peretz, who told the EU official: "We are standing strong on the principle that Hizbullah must retreat from the border. We will not stand for a situation in which the Hizbullah flag waves on our border."
Peretz also defended Israel's attacks on Lebanese targets. "The Lebanese government is the sovereign," he said, "and has to take responsibility for what happens in its territory."
Solana also met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert earlier in the day, but no information on the content of the meeting has been released.