The European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Wednesday that the EU, along with the concerned parties, would try its best to end the current crises in the Middle East as soon as possible.

"We have a sentiment of tragedy, which urges all of us to do all we can to stop what was going on as soon as possible," Solana told reporters after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza city over intensive Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

"We don't want to see responses that would result in tremendous physical and human losses for civilians," he added.

Israel launched ground and air assault on Gaza on June 28 to free an Israeli soldier abducted by Palestinian militant groups on June 25.

Lebanese Hezbollah militia captured two Israeli soldiers last Wednesday, prompting massive bombardment on Lebanon.

Both Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups demanded a prisoner swap, which was rejected by Israel.

Source: Xinhua