Steinmeier Visits Beirut, Pledges Support for Lebanon

Source: Al-Manar TV, 01-06-2008
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier started on Sunday a visit to Beirut as part of a four-day Middle East trip. Steinmeier was greeted at the presidential palace by Lebanon's newly-elected President Michel Suleiman with whom he held talks.
Following the meeting, the German minister expressed appreciation and thanks for the efforts carried out by the Arab League in helping to establish a solution for the constitutional crisis in this country. "The Doha agreement is a first, and very important, step to settling long-running conflicts here in Lebanon," Steinmeier said.
Steinmeier also pledged support for Lebanon in its efforts to form a new national unity cabinet. "We want to support this process, as much as we can, from within Europe and from within Germany," the minister said.
Steinmeier was also scheduled to meet with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the Prime Minister Designate Fouad Saniora.