The Lebanese- European partnership

In the context of preparations to complete the Association agreement between Lebanon and Europe next week according to the promise given by the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, the Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri met with the British ambassador in Beirut and handed him a message to the government of Britain asking backing and support to Lebanon in this regard.

Following the meeting, the ambassador said that al- Hariri expressed interests in " achieving a rapid progress in the Association Agreement with the European Union." Moreover, al-Hariri visited President Emil Lahoud and reviewed with him developments at the internal, regional and international levels in light of the visits al-Hariri made to several decision- making international capitals.

Following the meeting, al-Hariri said he briefed Lahoud on the results of the tour he carried out abroad especially his meeting with the French President Jacque Chirac and the German Chancellor Schroeder and dealt with conditions in the region in the region in light of recent developments.