Solana rejects Chirac criticism on EU Lebanon role

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has brushed off criticism by French president Jacques Chirac on the EU's handling of the Lebanon crisis, saying the bloc responded in a "fantastic manner."

Mr Chirac earlier this week made some critical remarks, saying the EU had failed to give Mr Solana, the bloc's top diplomat, a stronger mandate to intervene in the violence between Israel and Hezbollah.

"Europe was insufficiently active in the Lebanese crisis, although France had recommend...