Beirut - European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering started an official one-day visit to Lebanon Thursday for talks on the Middle East peace process.

"European Parliament members are interested in knowing how Lebanese politicians view the development of the peace process in the Middle East," Poettering said upon arrival in Lebanon late Wednesday.

Poettering is scheduled to hold separate talks with Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Fouad Seniora and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh.

He also is to meet Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir and the spiritual leaders of the Lebanese communities.

Poettering is to visit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) deployed along the southern blue line separating Lebanon from Israel before proceeding to the Syrian capital Damascus. (dpa)