Beirut  - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero arrived in Beirut Friday for talks with Lebanese officials and also to inspect his country's troops in southern Lebanon.

Zapatero was to hold talks with President Michel Suleiman, House Speaker Nabih Berri and premier-designate Saad Hariri.

He was also scheduled to visit his country's troops who are affiliated with the United Nations Interim Forces in Southern Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Spain is considering sending 200 more soldiers to UNIFIL, raising the country's total force there to 1,100. This plan requires permission from the UN and Spain's legislature.

UNIFIL, currently headed by Italian General Claudio Graziano, has 13,000 soldiers from various nationalities. Spanish general Alberto Asarta is due to take over command soon.(dpa)