Spanish prime minister visits Middle East

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar will visit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in the second half of July to meet with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss peace process development in the shadow of Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak's assumption of power and the withdrawal of the forces affiliated to Israel in the Jezzine area.

Lebanese sources said their stance adheres to Israel's unconditional withdrawal in implementation of United Nations resolution 425 and that the visit is an attempt to resume negotiations between Israel and Beirut, especially as Madrid witnessed signing agreements and the commencement of the peace process.

The sources added that the Spanish prime minister will also visit during July Egypt, Syria, Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Israel to discuss means of resuming the peace process in the Middle East.