Brussels  - The European Union strongly condemned the fierce outbreak of violence in Beirut and voiced support for the Lebanese government, the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Friday night.

Solana said he had been briefed on the situation by Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora and urged all sides to "act responsibly and find a solution to the crisis."

Radical Shiite group Hezbollah and allies took control of broad parts of Beirut on Friday, laid siege to areas that included government buildings and clashed with security forces.

"The EU condemns the last acts of violence in the strongest terms and reaffirms its full support to the Lebanese government," Solana said.

The EU's tip diplomat said any solution would have to come "through dialogue and within the national institutions." (dpa)