Military action not a solution to Iran nuclear crisis, says Merkel

Abu Dhabi: The European Union criticised Tehran on its failure to abide by the United Nations Security Council resolution, 1737, but said it will not support a military action against Iran by Israel or the United States.

Speaking at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Federal Germany who is also the president of the EU for 2007, told Gulf News the idea of a military attack to eliminate the Iranian nuclear facilities must not be promoted because it offers no solution to the crisis with Iran.

"The friends of Iran and those who care about the stability and prosperity in the region should convince the leaders in Tehran that suspending nuclear enrichment programme and accepting the EU offer would be in their favour."

"Allowing Iran to own nuclear capabilities would disturb the balance of power in the region and the world is united against allowing Iran to acquire nuclear power," she said.

Merkel also criticised Syria for showing no good intentions towards Lebanon and said Syria needs to recognise Lebanon and help in facilitating the establishment of an international tribunal to investigate the killing of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri.

She said Syria was given an offer to be reincorporated in the peace process in the Middle East. "German Foreign Minister held talks with Syrian leaders where he told them what the world expects from them but, unfortunately so far there was no response from Syria," she said.

Merkel failed to explain what was the EU opinion regarding the Israeli nuclear arsenal and if this helps peace in the Middle East, but said the EU is very clear about the intended outcome of peace process which includes two states with enough guarantees to Israel against terrorism and a Palestinian state that capable to live and prosper.

Merkel said UN, the United States, EU and Russia will meet next month in Berlin to discuss the Middle East peace process.

"We hope the meeting [today] in Makkah between Hamas and Fatah would result in a lasting agreement between the two Palestinian factions," she said.