"I am pleased to have been informed of the very constructive position of the Syrian authorities," Moratinos said following a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

He said it was "good news" that Damascus was supporting efforts by the two European countries and the speaker of Lebanon's parliament, Nabih Berri, to resolve the crisis sparked by the resignation last November of six pro-Syrian ministers.

"All the political forces and parties in Lebanon are trying to find a way out of the current impasse. Parliament speaker Nabih Berri is trying to build a new platform for consensus in Lebanon," Moratinos told a news conference.

He added that he would continue to "coordinate" with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner to try to get a result before Lebanon's parliament is due to elect a new president in September.

Moratinos also held separate meetings with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem and Vice President Faruq al-Shara. -AFP