Hague, Bassil launch Lebanon’s offshore seismic scan

British Foreign Minister William Hague, who arrived to Beirut on Wednesday night and left on Thursday evening, held a meeting with the Lebanese Army chief General Jean Kahwaji on Thursday morning at the Baabda Presidential Palace, where they will discuss the British assistance which will be offered to the Lebanese army, including providing the LAF with equipment and technical training over a two year period.

Earlier, Hague held talks with President Michel Sleiman, where they tackled the Burgas attack, the Syrian situation and the issue of the Lebanese parliamentary elections.          

On the elections, Hague stressed that the Constitutional deadline for the elections must be respected, noting that the Lebanese parties should reach consensus over a new electoral law that preserves the rights of all the Lebanese people.

On the other hand, Hague said that should any step be taken by the European Union against Hezbollah, it should not have any negative repercussions on Lebanon's stability or its relations with the union, expressing appreciation for the cooperation of the Lebanese authorities  in the investigations conducted by Bulgaria in the case.    

Answering a question on Syrian President Bachar Assad, Hague said: “the time has come for him to leave", stressing the need to implement democratic transition in Syria and in all the Arab states witnessing uprisings.