Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad met with the Lebanese Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Salim Hoss, in Beirut yesterday. He also met with the Lebanese Trade and Industry Minister and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as with members of the Lebanese Chamber of Commerce. The discussions centered around the need to further develop relations between the two countries and particular mention was made of the important role played by the Lebanese community in South Africa.
Deputy Minister Pahad was leading the first South African ministerial visit to Lebanon since the democratic elections in April 1994.
Discussions also focussed on the Middle East Peace process and Deputy Minister Pahad was heartened by the Lebanon’s preparedness to resume negotiations with Israel. The Lebanese Government also expressed enthusiasm for former President Nelson Mandela’s three point peace plan which , it believes, will induce a speedy resumption of the peace process with Israel.
Deputy Minister Pahad left for Baghdad today, on the last leg of his Middle East visit.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
26 NOVEMBER 1999