UK Minister in Syria

UK: Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague arrived in Syria Wednesday for a long-planned two-day trip, as unrest engulfed parts of the Middle East, including neighbouring Lebanon.

During the trip he will hold talks with President Bashar al-Assad about the political situation in Lebanon, the Middle East peace process and Iran's nuclear program, Hague's office said in a statement.

Hague arrives at a time of unprecedented protests in Egypt against the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak, following the overthrow two weeks ago of Tunisian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in a popular revolt.

Violence has also broken out in Lebanon this week, with protesters burning tyres and blocking roads across the country, after Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati was named Prime Minister amid much protests.

Najib Mikati's nomination as Prime Minister is seen as a victory for Hezbollah, which has challenged the impartiality of a UN-backed tribunal set up in 2009 to try the killers of statesman Rafik al-Hariri and which is expected to accuse members of the Shi'ite group.

London, Thursday, Reuters