The West German Foreign Minster, Herr Walter Scheel, has been visiting Lebanon-- his final stop on a six-day tour of the Middle East. He earlier visited Egypt and Jordan.

Herr Scheel explained on his arrival in Beirut that West Germany and the other Common Market countries have a great interest in extending their relations with the Middle East, and in promoting peace in the area.

The Lebanese Foreign Minster, Mr. Khalil Abu Hamad welcomed Herr Scheel at the airport. The Middle East tour is regarded as a significant development in West Germany's relations with the Arab countries, several of which severed relations with Bonn in 1965 in protest at West Germany's decision to exchange Ambassadors with Israel.

Last year some Arab countries resumed diplomatic relations, but Syria and Iraq are among the states which have not yet done so.