Spanish King in Lebanon to Inspect U.N. Troops
Spanish King Juan Carlos arrived Monday in Beirut on a two-day visit to Lebanon during which he will inspect Spanish troops serving with UNIFIL in south Lebanon.
Accompanying the King will be Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.Juan Carlos will be hosted by President Michel Suleiman at a state dinner in his honor.
The trip comes just days after Spain took over UNIFIL's command which was set up in 1978 to monitor Lebanon's border with Israel.
Juan Carlos' trip, however, is not a state visit in response to an invitation formerly extended by Suleiman, meaning that Queen Sofia will not be accompanying her husband this time.
The Spanish king is expected to start a 3-day state visit to Lebanon along with his wife next July or ultimately by September, according to the Central News Agency.
