Brussels, 16/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - After visiting Tunisia (on Monday) and Israel and the Palestinian Territories (on Tuesday) EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton travelled to Lebanon and Jordan on Wednesday 16. In Beirut, she met Prime Minister Designate Najib Mikati, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri and President Michel Sleiman. “I came to Lebanon at this critical moment to discuss issues of common interest and listen personally to my interlocutors' assessment on the current situation in Lebanon and the wider region”, she told press in Beirut. “I encouraged all political leaders to facilitate the formation of a representative government in a spirit of consensus - built on justice, stability and deep democracy which must be reinforced in the interests of the Lebanese people”, she added. The high representative also called on the Lebanese authorities - including the incoming government - to abide by the Lebanese constitution and the UN Security Council resolutions on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The EU stands ready to assist Lebanon and offers its full support to a sovereign, independent, democratic, peaceful and stable Lebanon, Ashton said. (H.B./transl.rt)