BEIRUT: British Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis arrived in Lebanon Wednesday on a two-day visit following a similar trip to Syria as part of a Middle East tour, the National News Agency reported. Lewis is scheduled to meet President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, interim Premier Fouad Siniora and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh. He is also expected to hold talks with Premier-designate Saad Hariri once the latter returns from a private trip. A statement by the British Embassy in Lebanon said: “Upon his arrival, Minister Lewis visited southern Lebanon and met with local officials in Hasbayya. He then visited UNIFIL’s base in Marjayoun.” Lewis trip is part of Britain’s “continuous support for the political and democratic process and for the formation of a government of national unity,” the statement said. The British government “urges the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and stresses the significant role that Lebanon can play in the Middle East peace process,” it added. – The Daily Star

AMMAN, March 15 (Xinhua) — Visiting British government spokesman John Wilks on Sunday defended the country’s decision to open contacts with Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, the official Petra news agency reported.

“We support the Lebanese government and the Lebanese regime. Therefore, how can we play this role without holding contacts with the various parties represented in the government?” Wilks said at a press conference in Amman.

Besides, Britain independently and periodically reviews its policies, he added.

In a statement last week, the British Foreign Office said it would take up “carefully selected” contact with the political wing of Hezbollah.

Its ultimate aim, it said, is to encourage the group to abandon violence and play a constructive political role in Lebanon.

Boasting widespread support among Lebanon’s Shiite population, Hezbollah has a powerful military arm which is on Britain’s list of banned organizations.

Moreover, Wilks said Britain opposes the proposal that Jordan will be an alternative homeland for Palestinians.

The two-state solution was the only way to end the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict, he said.

The world community’s efforts at the regional and international levels were sought to convince Israel that there was no political alternative to any Israeli government but to adopt and adhere to the two-state formula, said the official.