Berri Did Not Meet Feltman: He Came to Say 'We Are Here to See Those Concerned,' Jumblat Will Tell Me Everything

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman's visit was not pre-planned, sources close to Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar newspaper.

Those Feltman met were informed of his arrival just hours before his plane touched down in Beirut Sunday, the sources said in remarks published Monday.

They said about two hours ahead of his departure from Beirut, Feltman asked to meet Berri. But that did not work out as conflicting schedules has come between them.

President Michel Suleiman telephoned Berri on the sidelines of the visit and briefed him on Feltman's sudden trip which "aimed at underlining U.S. commitment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon."

"Anyhow, Walid Bek will tell me everything," Berri was quoted as saying. That was a reference to Druze leader Walid Jumblat who met Feltman on Sunday.

Berri believed that the main objective of Feltman's visit was to "get Jumblat's opinion on current issues."