Menem supports Lebanese sovereignty

Argentine President Carlos Menem on Tuesday expressed his country's full support for Lebanon's sovereignty and independence and called for improved bilateral ties, particularly economic ties.

In an address to the Lebanese parliament during a special plenary session, Menem said his country was behind implementation of U.N. resolution 425 and other resolutions based on the principle of land for peace.

He expressed his support for Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for strengthening bilateral ties.

Resolution 425, which was adopted in 1978 after Israel invaded Lebanon, calls on the Jewish State to withdraw its troops from a border enclave it occupies in south Lebanon without conditions.

House Speaker Nabih Berri said Lebanon would not accept anything less that implementation of Resolution 425 and said Lebanon rejected Israeli withdrawal offers which were attempts at separating the Lebanese and Syrian tracks of the peace negotiations.

Earlier, Menem paid tribute to Lebanese soldiers who were killed during the 1975-90 civil war and toured the National Museum, thus becoming the first head-of-state to visit the museum since it was renovated and reopened last November.

The president then visited the ancient city of Byblos.

Menem, who arrived here Monday for the three-day official visit, is the first Argentinean head-of-state to visit Lebanon. He is accompanied by his foreign minister, minister of education, several state ministers, members of the Senate and an economic, trade and industrial delegation.

He held talks Monday with Lebanese officials on the stalled Middle East peace process and bilateral relations, but no agreements were signed

. "We look forward to enhancing commercial, cultural and tourist relations and promoting investments," President Hrawi said after a closed meeting with Menem.

Around 1.5 million Lebanese expatriates live in Argentine, making up about ten percent of the population.

Menem leaves Beirut Wednesday for Egypt.