BEIRUT, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Nassif Hitti said on Tuesday that the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is a positive and important message which confirms the continued interest of France to assist Lebanon, local media reported.
Le Drian is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Wednesday to meet with Lebanese officials and check developments related to structural reforms that must be implemented by the current cabinet.
"This visit also constitutes a motivation for Lebanon to accelerate reforms," Hitti was quoted as saying by Elnashra, online independent newspaper.
He said that Lebanon is "running out of time" when it comes to reforms and he is keen to see how the country will be assisted by France in this area.
"I salute France and its great support for our country by extending the term of UNIFIL's French Battalion without changing their mission or number of troops, in addition to the support by France for the French schools in Lebanon," he added. Enditem
