FRANCE eager to bolster relations with Lebanon

[SR-25]

BEIRUT: French Premier Dominique de Villepin said Tuesday his country is looking to deepen its historical ties with Lebanon by developing bilateral cooperation. "The friendship between our two countries goes back a long way and you know how much France supports the efforts of the Lebanese government in this difficult period," the French premier said after a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Fouad Siniora.

De Villepin also revealed that Paris was interested in helping Lebanon financially in its preparations for an international donor's conference to be held in Beirut later this year, which is being held to gather funds for Siniora's economic, political and judicial reform plans.

"We are naturally ready to pursue and intensify our bilateral cooperation with this country which is a great friend," he said.

Siniora also stressed the importance of the two countries' relations, and thanked French officials for their continued support in the security, economical and technical sectors.

The Lebanese premier also affirmed that security in Lebanon was "getting much better," despite a series of assassinations and explosions that have rocked the country since the February assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri.

"Were it not for the terrorist attacks that we have been suffering from, I think the security in Lebanon is excellent," the premier said. "We hope that those who have been committing these terrorist acts are going to stop, and we are making every effort in terms of organizing our security forces and the intelligence."

In a separate UN-sponsored meeting, Siniora and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed the presence of weapons and militants outside the country's Palestinian refugee camps was harmful to Lebanon.

In a joint statement issued after the 45-minute talks in Paris, the two leaders expressed "great concern" over the flow of weapons and militants in and out of the camps, which "negatively influences the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon."

Speaking after the meeting, Siniora said: "We expressed our views that the presence of armed personnel and armaments outside the camps is not necessary and not helpful."

"As for the presence of armed personnel within the camps, this is going to be looked at in order to organize it," he added.

Abbas repeated once more that Palestinian refugees were "guests" in Lebanon, and were therefore not above its laws.

The two leaders also discussed weapons being smuggled from Syria to Palestinian factions in Lebanon.

"Abu Mazen (Abbas) expressed his condemnation for such infiltration, either the weapons or the individuals," Siniora said.

In a joint statement, Abbas praised Lebanon's efforts in the last few weeks to ban weapons

outside the camps and to crack down on the smuggling of weapons into the country.

Beirut MP Saad Hariri also conferred with Abbas in Paris on Monday.

United Nations sources in Paris said that Siniora was keen to reassure French and UN officials that Lebanon is determined to implement 1559.

The sources added that Siniora is trying "to convince the international community that Lebanon respects international legitimacy and that the best way to solve sensitive issue including Hizbullah's arms is through dialogue and negotiations."

Concerning the common border between Lebanon and Syria, Siniora said Lebanon has asked the Lebanese-Syrian Supreme Council to prepare for the demarcation of the borders. The process will also include the Shebaa Farms, which both Lebanon and Syria claim as Lebanese territory, while the UN has identified them as Syrian.

According to Annan's spokesperson in New York Stephane Dujarric, the UN has not yet been asked to play a role in the process.

"We have always encouraged the two countries to officially draw their borders, and we strongly welcome such step," he said. "But whether the UN will be part of the process is something I can not comment on yet. We were not officially asked to assist with the process, but if they ask us to we will consider it."

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article....ticle_id=19437

[Grimmy]

French Premier Dominique de Villepin said Tuesday his country is looking to deepen its historical ties with Lebanon ...


What? France gonna colonize the area again? Build Lebanon back into the "Paris of the Middle East" again? Lebanon as the place to go for young boys again?