France’s foreign minister Dominique de Villepin arrived in Beirut on Friday – the first stop of a tour that would take him to several Arab countries.
On his arrival, the French foreign minister began talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. Following the talks, de Villepin said that they, "discussed the situation in the Middle East and the importance of re-launching the peace process which might give some hope to some people in the region."
On his part, Lahoud said that he briefed the French minister on Lebanon's stance on recent regional and international developments, adding that Lebanon calls for the European Union to play a greater role in the Middle East peace process.
The French top diplomat is scheduled to also meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, according to the Kuwait News Agency.
Following his visit to Lebanon, de Villepin is expected to visit Syria and Jordan, in the framework of his regional tour. Last month, he visited Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian territories and the Saudi Kingdom. (Albawaba.com)
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