FRANKFURT, April 30 (Xinhua) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday left the three key interest rates unchanged.

The interest rates on the deposit facility, the main refinancing operations and the marginal lending facility stay at two percent, 2.15 percent and 2.4 percent respectively.

The ECB noted in a press release that the war in the Middle East is driving up inflation and weighing on economic sentiment. "The Governing Council remains well positioned to navigate the current uncertainty."

While near-time inflation expectations have increased significantly, "longer-term inflation expectations remain well anchored." ■