BEIRUT, Lebanon, SPA --Assistant U.S. Secretary of State David Welch said Saturday his talks with Lebanese officials were an important step toward ending the Lebanese-Israeli conflict, but cited difficult «challenges» still to be overcome. «My meeting today was an important step to putting behind us forever the terrible violence witnessed in the pastthree weeks, with a lasting political framework and aninternational force to support the Lebanese armed forces,»he told reporters after meeting with Prime Minister FuadSaniora. «The challenges facing Lebanon today are much moredifficult than we would have imagined weeks ago,» headded. Welch took no questions after issuing the brief statement, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/380891