Lebanese president meets with Irish defense minister

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Tuesday in Beirut received Irish Defense Minister Michael Smith, currently visiting Lebanon. Talks dealt with the situation in south Lebanon, especially as Ireland is contributing troops to UNIFIL in south Lebanon.

Talks also dealt with the Middle East peace process and bilateral relations between Lebanon and Ireland.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, on Tuesday received the delegation of the French House of Representatives (parliament), led by chairman of the cultural affairs committee at the parliament. The French ambassador in Beirut attended the meeting.

Talks dealt with the situation in south Lebanon, Middle East peace process' developments and Lebanese - French bilateral relations.

Following the meeting the French official said talks with Berri centered, in particular, on the current conditions in south Lebanon. He added, "We have reiterated the French backing to Lebanon."

He continued, "Concerning south Lebanon, we have the same stand repeatedly expressed by the President Chirac and the French prime minister." The French official described the meeting with Berri as "very important."