P.M. Harper and President Bush support Israel

PARIS (Reuters) - Russia and the European Union condemned Israel's strikes in Lebanon on Thursday as a dangerous escalation of the Middle East conflict but the United States said Israel had the right to self defense.

President Bush spoke up for Israel's attack on Beirut airport, but warned the Israelis they should be careful not to weaken the fragile Lebanese government.

"Israel has the right to defend herself," Bush told a news conference after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.


His comments were echoed by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who endorsed Israel's incursion into Lebanon and strikes on Gaza as measured self-defense.

"I think it's tremendously disappointing that these attacks are coming from areas (Lebanon and Gaza) that Israel voluntarily evacuated, and so I think the onus to end this escalation is on the other side," Harper said.

Comments from Bush and Harper contrasted with reaction from Russia and the European Union, which said there could be no justification for Israel's air and sea blockade on Lebanon.

"Actions, which are contrary to international humanitarian law, can only aggravate the vicious circle of violence and retribution," the EU presidency said in a statement.

The comments came as a three-strong United Nations team headed to the Middle East to seek to defuse the crisis.