Germany wades into Middle East fray

BERLIN, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier set out on a peace mission to Lebanon and Israel Tuesday seeking support for a pending U.N. resolution.

His first stop is Beirut, where he will meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, followed by a stop in Cyprus for talks with Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas, Deutsche Welle reported.

Steinmeier was scheduled to visit Jerusalem Wednesday to talk with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and senior cabinet officials, the ministry said. A meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah had not been confirmed by Tuesday afternoon, the report said.

Steinmeier's goal was to encourage support of a French-U.S. Security Council resolution to stop the fighting between Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and Israeli forces that has killed hundreds in 28 days of fighting.

Various reports said a Security Council vote wasn't expected until the weekend, but Steinmeier told reporters before leaving Berlin an agreement had been reached in New York.