European chief representative in Beirut

E.U. representative Jacques Santer arrived today in Beirut on the last leg of a tour that took him to Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian self-rule areas, Jordan and Syria.

His tour aimed at discussing progress in the field of Arab - European - Middle Eastern cooperation and highlighting the European role in the Middle East peace process.

The sources said that among the difficulties delaying the endorsement of a participation accord with Lebanon is that Lebanon must be transformed to a free trade zone.

Santer also highlighted financial and technical cooperation between the E.U. and Lebanon and said that Lebanon has received 616 million ECU in aid.

Santer is scheduled to hold talks with Lebanon's President Elias Hrawi, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz.