THE ARRIVAL of Mr Rafiq Hariri yesterday marked the first visit of a Lebanese Prime Minister to Ireland. He is here as part of the Irish EU presidency.
Last night after his arrival he had a working dinner with the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring.
Today he will have talks with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, at Government Buildings, as well as meeting the Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny, and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell.
His talks with all ministers will centre on the current situation in the Middle East, the future of the peace process and the reconstruction of Lebanon. Discussions will also take place on increased trade and contact between Ireland and Lebanon.
Other Middle Eastern leaders are expected to visit Ireland during the presidency. Arab leaders have increasingly looked to Europe to assume the role of peace broker in the Middle East since the EU adopted a declaration requiring Israel to withdraw from the Occupied Territories. In the Arab view the close identification of the US with Israel bars Washington from playing this role.
AFP add; On his journey to Dublin Mr Hariri stopped in Brussels for talks with the EU Commissioner for the Middle East, Mr Manuel Marin, and representatives of Ireland's EU presidency.
After the meetings he said that countries willing to participate in the rebuilding of Lebanon would meet to discuss aid within the next two months.
Mr Hariri also held talks with the US mediator, Mr Dennis Ross, who has just completed a tour of the Middle East.
The date and location of the meeting is yet to be finalised.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/5cf4f137-e78e-4bdb-a43b-6311e855e51f.png)