Roed-Larsen, whose mission is to oversee the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, said at a press conference in the Saudi capital Sunday that the identity of the Shabaa farms was a matter to be resolved between Lebanon and Syria.

"When the two countries come to an agreement then they can go to the U.N. for a resolution. Until that happens, the Blue Line must be respected," the envoy was quoted as saying in An Nahar Monday.

When Israel withdrew from Lebanon in May 2000, the U.N. drew a demarcation line between the two countries known as the Blue Line.

The Jewish state pulled out from most of south Lebanon except for the Shabaa Farms. Lebanon and Syria say the area is Lebanese but the U.N. says it belongs to Syria and its fate is linked to Resolution 242 that calls on Israel to pull out from the Golan Heights.

Lebanese political leaders meeting at national dialogue talks in Beirut agreed last week that Shabaa is inside Lebanese territory. They said Beirut should get a clear commitment from Damascus that backs their decision. Then Lebanon can take up the issue with the U.N. to change the area's official status.

Roed-Larsen praised the dialogue that is grouping Lebanon's most influential political leaders and said that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan was pleased with the talks.

The envoy lauded the results achieved so far at the roundtable discussions but said that the more difficult issues are expected to be examined this week.

"Despite the differences between Lebanon and Syria over many issues, there is a mechanism that is moving forward," said Roed-Larsen.

The envoy just finished a trip to the capitals of states that are permanent members of the Security Council. He said there was "complete agreement" between those countries on all issues related to Resolution 1559.

The edict calls for an end to foreign influence in Lebanon, the disarming and disbanding of militias and the holding of free and fair presidential elections. Last year, Syria complied with the text's provision calling for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon.

Roed-Larsen is now touring countries in the Middle East. He visited Saudi Arabia and Egypt and is expected to visit Lebanon.

He described his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal as "good and constructive."

He also held talks with the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdel Rahman Al-Atiyyeh who expressed the support of the six GCC member states for the implementation of Resolution 1559.

The envoy met with Amr Moussa, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit.