Solana visits Lebanon
June 13, 2009
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is in Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials, less than a week after the country held parliamentary elections. The vote saw the Western-backed alliance increase its majority in parliament, defeating a coalition led by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.
"This will help very much open a new page for the future of the country, prosperity, democracy and peace, said Solana after meeting Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh.
Solana also discussed the latest post-election developments with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.
"I am happy to be in Lebanon, and I am performing an analysis of the latest developments with all the officials of your country, especially the new phase that kicked off after the elections," Solana said after meeting with Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun in Beirut on Friday.
"There are serious talks to deepen and consolidate the relations between Lebanon and the EU, which is a constant supporter of Lebanon," he added. During his two-day visit, Solana is scheduled to meet various party leaders, including a member of parliament from the Hezbollah movement.
First high-level meeting with Hezbollah
Solana also met with Hezbollah MP Hajj Hassan which was the first such high-level contact between an EU official and Hezbollah. The Shiite group has been blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Washington but not by the European Union.
"This also means better communication for the European Union with the region and its parties," said Hajj Hassan and added that this meeting will "move the EU towards more realism."
The top EU diplomat's visit to Beirut coincides with a trip by US envoy George Mitchell, who said Washington would not sacrifice Lebanon as it seeks comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
Solana, who visited Jerusalem and the West Bank earlier in the week, said he expected to hear a commitment to the two-state solution in the Middle East from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech he is set to make on Sunday.
rb/dpa/AFP
Editor: Andreas Illmer