The European Commission (EC) is to help Lebanon cope with a huge oil spill south of Beirut caused by an Israeli air strike on a power plant, the EC said on Thursday.

"The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lebanon has asked for assistance from the European Commission's Monitoring and Information Center (MIC) to mobilise the help of EU Member States in cleaning up the pollution caused by an estimated 10,000 - 35, 000 tons of heavy fuel oil," said the EC in a press release.

"Wars do cause enormous human suffering as we are witnessing now in Lebanon. But another aspect is also the significant environmental destruction caused by it," EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas was quoted as saying.

The oil spill "could affect the livelihood and health of the Lebanese and people in neighboring countries as well as the status of the marine environment in the region," he lamented, announcing plans to provide specialized materials and experts to help contain the spill.

According to the Lebanese authorities, the spill was caused by the destruction of a storage tank at a power plant at Jieh, which was hit by Israeli bombs on July 13 and 15. The fuel has been burning, but part of it leaked out to sea.

The heavy oil has so far contaminated at least 70-80 km of the coastline north of Jieh. The spill has affected rocky and sandy public beaches as well as ports and marinas.

The European Union (EU) executive arm said Beirut had specifically requested significant amounts of dispersants, booms, absorbents, skimmers, as well as specialized boats and any other material and equipment.

"Several (EU) states have already responded to the request and offers of assistance are being assessed in view of their submission to the Lebanese authorities. At the same time further needs are being identified," it said.

Source: Xinhua