Britain expresses support to Lebanese gov't

Visiting British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett Saturday expressed her country's support for Lebanese current government, calling on Lebanon's rival factions to return to dialogue.

"I came here in part to show solidarity with the government in the face of difficulties you have been enduring," Beckett told reporters after her meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.

"This government has been elected by the Lebanese people and has the constitutional powers, therefore I believe the world community support the constitutional government," she added.

Meanwhile, the British diplomat also issued a statement over the current political crisis triggered by the resignation of six pro-Syrian ministers and the assassination of anti-Syrian Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel in the last month, calling for dialogue among all the Lebanese parties.

"We call on all parties to work together for the good of Lebanon,and to return to dialogue," said the statement issued on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Beckett met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, and traveled to southern Lebanon to visit British deminers who have been clearing the area for several years.

Beckett arrived in Beirut on late Friday, when the political crisis in the country sharpened into a mass anti-government street demonstration, which was staged under the call of Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

Source: Xinhua