German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Thursday held talks with top Lebanese leaders, stressing the need to “exert all efforts to prevent an importation of the Syrian conflict into Lebanon.” The German diplomat called on the Lebanese political forces to shoulder their responsibilities in this regard. In a statement in Istanbul ahead of traveling to Beirut, Westerwelle also voiced “great concern over the latest violent clashes in Lebanon.” “During my talks in Beirut, I will call for a policy aimed at preventing escalation and achieving internal balance,” he added. [Naharnet]