Berri in Armenia - says Israel must leave before Syria

Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri, currently in Armenia, stated that Lebanon intends to strengthen its relationship with Armenia.

Today, Speaker Berri has a meeting with the Armenian parliament, and he plans to deliver a speech there.

Berri already visited Romania before he arrived in Armenia, with the same object--getting closer to the country--and this visit also suggests President Hrawi's visit to Brazil and that of Prime Minister Hariri to France. The trips are part of an apparant Lebanese effort to establish closer tie with foreign nations and gain the support of these nations.

Earlier in the week in Romania, Berri reaffirmed that the Lebanese government would not accept the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon before an Israeli withdrawal from the south.

While addressing the Romanian Parliament, Berri responded to a suggestion from one senator that Israel would cease its occupation of the south if Hizbullah stopped attacking Israel. Berri was also asked to comment on the Syrian presence in Lebanon.

The speaker suggested that those gathered reflect upon whether it would be better "for small countries such as Romania and Lebanon to help each other through their bilateral cooperation rather than to seek help from super powers."