BEIRUT, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he will meet Hezbollah officials during his two-day visit in Lebanon, As-Safier daily reported Friday.
"Why should I not meet with Hezbollah officials? This is a political party which participates in the Lebanese elections and in the Lebanese cabinet," Kouchner told reporters on his arrival in Beirut Thursday night.
The Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, and was banned by European countries until recently in May when Britain announced it would carry out talks with Hezbollah political wing.
Kouchner, who will meet Lebanese officials and Leaders, said that the cabinet formation in Lebanon is "an internal issue for the Lebanese to do without the help of anyone."
Diplomatic sources said that Kouchner will discuss with Lebanese leaders the French-Lebanese ties, Lebanese-Syrian relations and demarcation of borders, as well as efforts to push forward peace talks in the region.
As for the French ties with Syria, Kouchner said that French President Nicolas Sarkozy "is comfortable" with bilateral relations.
Kouchner attended Thursday night a concert by French singer Charles Aznavour in the Lebanese mountain area of Bieteddine, and he is scheduled to visit Syria on Saturday.
"Why should I not meet with Hezbollah officials? This is a political party which participates in the Lebanese elections and in the Lebanese cabinet," Kouchner told reporters on his arrival in Beirut Thursday night.
The Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, and was banned by European countries until recently in May when Britain announced it would carry out talks with Hezbollah political wing.
Kouchner, who will meet Lebanese officials and Leaders, said that the cabinet formation in Lebanon is "an internal issue for the Lebanese to do without the help of anyone."
Diplomatic sources said that Kouchner will discuss with Lebanese leaders the French-Lebanese ties, Lebanese-Syrian relations and demarcation of borders, as well as efforts to push forward peace talks in the region.
As for the French ties with Syria, Kouchner said that French President Nicolas Sarkozy "is comfortable" with bilateral relations.
Kouchner attended Thursday night a concert by French singer Charles Aznavour in the Lebanese mountain area of Bieteddine, and he is scheduled to visit Syria on Saturday.
Source: Xinhua
H/T: Weasel Zippers
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