Finnish, Lebanese presidents voice backing for Middle East peace

Finnish President Martti Ahitsaari has reiterated his country's backing for resuming the suspended Middle East peace process.

In a press conference he held at the conclusion of his meeting with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Wednesday in Beirut, the Finnish president expressed his optimism over the outcome of the talks held with officials in the region carried out during his current tour of many countries in the Middle East.

President Ahtisaari added that all officials demonstrated the serious intention to proceed with the Middle East peace process and to eliminate all impeding obstacles.

He expected progress to be attained on resuming the Middle East peace process during the forthcoming months. He continued that he had invited all parties concerned to meet in Finland to conclude the negotiations.

Earlier in the day, two rounds of talks were held at the Lebanese Presidential palace in Beirut between the Lebanese and Finnish sides.

During the talks, the Lebanese stressed Lebanon's adherence to the cohesion between the Syrian and Lebanese peace tracks of the Middle East peace process to help achieve a just and durable peace.

The Finnish president, whose delegation included European Union peace process envoy Miguel Angel Moratinos, left the Lebanese capital yesterday evening after the discussions with Lahoud, in which Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss participated.