Hariri: International community must take responsibility for Middle East peace

 

Ahead of a trip to Washington, Lebanese Prime Minister Said Hariri called on the international community to step up pressure on Israel and the Palestinians to strike a peace deal.

 

Hariri met with Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak Saturday in Cairo to discuss the mid-east peace process and regional developments.

 

The two leaders talked about ways to revive the indirect peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel as well as developments inside Lebanon.

 

After the meeting, Hariri said that it was time for the "international community to take responsibility" and exert "serious efforts" to push the peace process forward, Lebanese TV channel al-Mustaqbal reported.

 

"The only end for this process is peace," Hairi said, adding that he would convey this message to US President Barack Obama, al-Mustaqbal added.

 

Hariri arrived earlier for his short visit which is part of an Arab tour ahead of his visit to the United States, which included Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

 

He is scheduled to meet Obama on Monday amid fears of renewed fighting between Lebanon and Israel.

 

Later on Saturday, he is due to head for Istanbul to meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.