Swedish foreign minister starts visit to Beirut and Damascus

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh is starting today a formal visit to Beirut and Damascus to fulfill formal invitations from the two countries.

This visit comes in the preparations for Sweden taking over the chairmanship of the European Union at the beginning of next year.

Lindh will discuss with officials in the two countries the peace negotiations and the human rights issues, to which Sweden aspires to develop to the better in Syria.

During her visit to Beirut, the Lindh will meet with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Lebanese Prime Minister Selim El-Hoss and the head of the deputies council, Nabih Berri, while in Damascus she will meet with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and the Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara.