Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.

Annan, Siniora Discuss Mideast Ceasefire
----------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=13AFC60:A6F02AD83191E160FF3C93198F0542E89574F7DCC14957C0 Upon arrival in
Beirut, UN secretary-general said he wanted to underscore
'international solidarity' regarding Lebanon





Kofi Annan arrives in Beirut, Monday

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with Lebanese Prime Minister
Fuad Siniora in Beirut Monday, as part of efforts to strengthen the
cease fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Mr. Annan said upon his arrival that he wanted to underscore what he
called "international solidarity" regarding Lebanon. He said he will
discuss the aftermath of the war and the measures needed to implement
the United Nations resolution, which called for the cease fire and an
expanded U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon.



Lebanese leaders are expected to urge Mr. Annan to pressure Israel
into lifting its air and sea blockade of Lebanon. The U.N. chief also
is to visit Israel, Syria and Iran.

Meanwhile, Turkey says it has agreed to contribute troops to the U.N.
peacekeeping force in Lebanon. The move will require the approval of
the Turkish parliament.

In Paris, French President Jacques Chirac repeated a call for Israel
to lift the blockade against Lebanon.

He also called for an urgent meeting of the Middle East quartet - the
European Union, the United Nations, the United States and Russia - for
talks on the situation between Israel and the Palestinians.

France, which will command the U.N. force in southern Lebanon until
early next year, is sending 2,000 troops to the force.

Lebanon says the blockades are a violation of the U.N. cease fire
resolution. Israel says the measures will remain in place until U.N.
forces are posted along Lebanon's borders to stop weapons being
smuggled to Hezbollah.

 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


.