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UN envoy seeking pullout of foreign troops from Lebanon continues talks in Beirut

UN envoy seeking pullout of foreign troops from Lebanon continues talks in Beirut

Terje Roed-Larsen
The United Nations envoy seeking the pullout of foreign troops from Lebanon continued his visit today to Beirut, holding talks with senior officials past and present.

Terje Roed Larsen, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the implementation of resolution 1559, which was adopted last September and called for the withdrawal of all remaining foreign forces from Lebanon, disbanding all militias and extending Government control over the whole country, met with an array of senior government officials.

Afterwards he saw several prominent politicians, including former President Amin Gemayel, and former Prime Ministers Salim Hoss and Rafik Hariri. He also held discussions with several members of Parliament, including Walid Jumblat, Nassib Lahoud and Najib Mikati.

The envoy's mission "has been characterized by a spirit of dialogue and cooperation," a UN spokesperson said in New York.

Mr. Roed-Larsen returns tomorrow to Damascus, where he is scheduled to meet Syrian President Bashir al-Assad, before wrapping up his visit to the Middle East region Friday.