German FM to press Syria to recognize Lebanon

Germany's foreign minister plans to visit Syria following talks in the Lebanese capital, his aides said Sunday, to stress the importance of recognizing Lebanon's sovereignty if Damascus wants to remove itself from international isolation. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier plans to travel to Damascus on Monday, following his visit to Lebanon, aides traveling with him said Sunday. In Damascus, Steinmeier plans to meet with President Bashar Assad, as well as other officials, to send the message that, "Whoever wants to start a different development must clearly show in their relations to Lebanon that they recognize the sovereignty of this land," Steinmeier said on Saturday.