LEBANON: EU's Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana holds talks with Lebanese officials and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander in Lebanon

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana held talks with Lebanese officials and leaders on Saturday (October 28) during a visit to bolster support for the Lebanese government. Solana's visit is intended to signal that the 25-nation EU remains committed to promoting peace in the region following the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah forces in southern Lebanon earlier this year. The EU Foreign Policy Chief met UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander Major General Alain Pellegrini to be briefed on the mission Pelllegrini leads. The EU is participating in the 7,000-strong mostly European UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. Solana held talks with Lebanese minister of Foreign Affairs Fwazi Salloukh, Parliament speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. He said that European Union will help Lebanon to prepare for the aid conference which will be held in Paris on January 15 next year . Speaking at a joint conference with Lebanese prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Solana said the maing issues that need urgent resolution are the Israeli overflights and the question of Shebaa Farms. "I could tell you that the thing which has not been completed for the 1701 (resolution) is the Israeli overflights. I am coming from Israel and I can tell you that I talked with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence and I made very clear remark that this has top stop and we want to have the resolution 1701 applied to everybody. I'd like to tell you also that we keep in touch with Secretary General of the United Nations in order to get the Shebaa farms full report presented to the Security Council as soon as possible, " Solana said. Solana arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday (October 25) for a four-day visit, during which he has met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. His aim has been to push forward efforts to bring about a resumption of stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

ITN Source | October 29, 2006

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