Mitchell in Beirut Wednesday
U.S. Special Mideast Envoy George Mitchell, who arrives in the region on Saturday, will visit Beirut next week, informed U.S. sources told An Nahar newspaper.
Mitchell arrives in Israel and the Palestinian territories on Saturday amid efforts to revive stalled peace talks.
His visit comes a week after the White House said it regretted Israel”s reported plans to build new settlement homes, calling it "inconsistent" with its international commitments to the peace process.
The sources told An Nahar that Mitchell”s deputy, Frederic Hoff, will arrive in Beirut ahead of the U.S. special envoy to lay the groundwork for his only meeting with President Michel Suleiman.
The newspaper said that Mitchell will also visit Egypt, Jordan and most probably Saudi Arabia during his tour to the region.