BEIRUT, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said here Friday that pressuring Israel into achieving peace in the region is important, the local Now Lebanon news site reported.

    During a meeting with U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Michele Sison as well as with U.S. National Security Advisor James Jones, Hariri added that the Palestinian cause was of central concern to the other Arab states.

    According to Hariri, Lebanon is firm in its conviction that Palestinians have the right to return, because "a resolution that omits the right will be a threat to any peace process, and thereafter, to Lebanon's stability."

    Hariri also said he requests that the U.S. back the Lebanese army to enable proper implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to face any regional dangers.

    The resolution 1701 ended the war between Israel and Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah in 2006 and mandates UN peacekeepers to monitor the armistice in south Lebanon.

    James Jones arrived in Beirut on Friday for talks with top Lebanese officials mainly on strategic cooperation between the two countries on ways to eradicate terrorism in Lebanon and the region.

    He also held talks with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri.