Louis Michel (Oct 2006)

The European Union says U.S. airstrikes in Somalia are not helpful to efforts to bring long-term stability to the war-torn east African nation.

Tuesday, a spokesman for E.U. Development Commissioner Louis Michel said the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force are the best ways to ensure Somalia's security.

He said only a political solution that includes all of Somalia's political forces can bring lasting peace and stability to the nation.

The U.S. military has confirmed an AC-130 gunship carried out air strikes in southern Somalia Sunday. It says the attack targeted the principal al-Qaida leadership in the region.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.