BEIRUT–DAMASCUS (Asbarez–Azg) – Armenia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Arzoumanian visited Beirut Thursday–where he met with the country’s president–prime minister and foreign minister.
He arrived in Beirut via car from Damascus where he was on an official visit.
Upon arriving in the Lebanese capital–Arzoumanian met with Lebanese President Ilias Herawi– prime minister Rafik-al-Hariri and Foreign Minister Fares Bueyzi–following which Arzoumanian signed a customs pact with the Lebanese officials.
During his meeting–Arzoumanian emphasized the importance of strengthening Armenia’s relations with Lebanon and Syria–adding that Armenia’supported a United Nations Security Council Resolution calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon and establishment of Lebanese rule within the internationally recognized borders.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Rafik-al-Hariri–Arzoumanian conveyed a personal message from Levon Ter-Petrosyan–whereby a further strengthening of Lebanese-Armenian relations was emphasized and Armenia’s solidarity with Lebanon in the Middle East peace process was highlighted.
Arzoumanian extended an invitation to Hariri to visit Armenia–and the Lebanese leader announced that he would visit Armenia in June.
Arzoumanian was scheduled to stay in Lebanon Friday.
On Tuesday Arzoumanian met with Syrian President Hafez-al-Asad and Foreign Minister Farouk-al-Shara
Arzoumanian also met with Syrian Prime Minister Mahmud-al-Zobin.
The two sides held discussions on issues of Arab-Israel relation–particularly the Syrian role in the latest round of the peace process. Arzoumanian informed the Syrian government of the Armenian stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and the future of the region. The sides also discussed Armenia-Syria economic cooperation.
Arrangemen’s were made for the inauguration of a Syrian embassy in Armenia–following which a reception in honor of al- Shara was held at the Armenian Embassy in Damascus.
