Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-07-26

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] FM comments on int'l conference on Lebanon

[02] Major fire at solvents factory in Lavrio

[01] FM comments on int'l conference on Lebanon

"Greece was present and contributed with its concrete propositions and clear views," Bakoyannis told reporters at the end of the conference in which the foreign ministers of the U.S.A., Russia, the major European Union member-states and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan took part.

The Greek foreign minister underlined as "positive elements" of the conference the adoption of "a common position on the humanitarian aspect of the war in Lebanon, the need for an end to hostilities and the preparations for the setting up of an international stabilising force on the orders of the UN Security Council," assuring at the same time that "we will continue to be actively present in order to put a definite end to violence and for the logic of peace to prevail."

"Greece was among the first countries that effectively got involved in the humanitarian aspect supporting also an immediate ceasefire, supporting the immediate end of the vicious circle of violence. Our positions and contibution have met the esteem of the international community," Bakoyannis said.

She also reminded that Greece was from the very beginning in favour of the active role of the UN Security Council in defusing the crisis.

[02] Major fire at solvents factory in Lavrio

The fire broke out in the morning and quickly spread to five tanks containing solvents. Industrial plants in the surrounding area have been evacuated for fear of an explosion.

The entire firefighting force of the wider Attica region has been placed on a high state of alert due to the gravity of the situation.

Firefighting efforts are being hampered by the extremely high temperatures developed as a result of the raging fire, which prevent land forces from approaching. Three helicopters and two firefighting aircraft are trying to place the fire under control using flame retardant foam.

Participating in the effort to extinguish the fire are 120 firefighters, 40 fire-engines, and 12 water tankers dispatched to the region by local municipalities, while a firefighting boat is also expected in the region to assist in the efforts.

The causes of the fire remain unclear.

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