Report: Beirut-Washington Contacts on Possible Visit by Kerry
Written by Najib

 The Lebanese authorities have contacted Washington to inquire whether U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to the Middle East this month will include Lebanon, al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Kerry will visit the region on June 13-15 to discuss peace efforts with Israeli and Palestinian officials, Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said on Monday. Kerry told reporters in Washington that Israel and the Palestinians are "weighing the choices" they need to make to resume peace talks "very, very seriously.”

He said he was open to the idea of returning to the region to help push the sides back to the negotiations stalled since 2010, but he did not confirm reports another trip was in the offing. Al-Joumhouria said that diplomatic contacts have been made with the U.S. authorities to find out whether Kerry will make a stop in Beirut during his tour.

There was speculation in April that Kerry will visit the Lebanese capital as part of a regional tour.He has in the past traveled to Lebanon as the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.