French defense minister in brief Lebanon visit

French Defense Minister Alain Richard arrived in Lebanon Thursday for a brief visit during which he inspected his country's peacekeeping troops in south Lebanon and met with officials in Beirut.

Richard also reiterated his country's support for implementation of U.N. Resolution 425, which calls for an unconditional Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon.

"France renews its support to Lebanon and will exert efforts so that (Lebanon) regains complete sovereignty over its territories," he said upon arrival at Beirut International Airport.

He added that he hoped next year would witness "more efficient European participation in activating the peace process in the region."

However, the French minister said that his visit was mainly to inspect the some 250 French troops in south Lebanon – part of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"I wanted to come to offer support for the French troops who have been participating in the U.N. force for a long time," he said. Then he boarded a U.N. helicopter to the coastal town of Naqoura inside the Israeli-occupied zone in south Lebanon, which houses UNIFIL headquarters.

French President Jacques Chirac visited Lebanon twice in 1996 and has met with the U.N. troops on his second visit.

Richard later met in Beirut with Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Defense Minister Mohsen Dalloul. He revealed that he had discussed with the officials possible French military assistance to Lebanon's army.

He also expressed a European wish to play a more active reviving Arab-Israeli peace talks, which have been in a serious deadlock for months.

"I expect 1998 to witness more efficient European participation in activating the peace process in the region," he said.

Also on the agenda were preparations for an official visit to Beirut by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, scheduled for January 11.