The Secretary-General met today, 7 June 2011, with H.E. Mr. Alain Juppé, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France. The Secretary-General and Foreign Minister Juppé held wide-ranging discussions on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly current developments in Libya, Syria, and the Middle East peace process.

The Secretary-General referred to the ongoing visit of his Special Envoy, Abdul Ilah Al-Khatib, to Libya and his continuing efforts to work with the parties in order to define the elements of a political transition.

On the Middle East, the Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister agreed that the peace process was in urgent need of revitalization. They exchanged views about recent discussions regarding next steps in the peace process and recognized the important role of the Quartet.