Paris closes the file of 'coolness' with Lebanon
Lebanon-France, Politics, 5/28/2001

Lebanese president Emil Lahoud today starts a state visit to France which is his first visit since he assumed power against three visits held by the French President Jacque Chirac to Lebanon since he assumed power in France.

To avoid wrong explanations for the visit, the Lebanese president has drawn the main headlines for his visit for his talks in his interviews which were published by the end of the week by the French dailies especially in the "Le Figaro." The Lebanese president stressed the following political and economic titles: " Israel did not implement UN resolution 425. Lebanon has the right to resort to the option of resistance in order to complete the liberation of its territories especially the Shabaa farms; the release of the Lebanese detainees from the Israeli jails. The state of Lebanon is carrying out its security duty in the south of Lebanon but will not be converting its army into border guards. There is no way at the meantime to talk about disarming the Hizbullah. there is no peace without restoring back the Shabaa farms to Lebanon; the Golan to Syria and the return of the Palestinian refugees to their homeland. The relation with Syria is strategic. Syria has already started to re-deploy its army in Lebanon; but the followed debate on this matter stoped her measure and the Syrian troops will withdraw from Lebanon in due time. The Syrian presence in Lebanon is decided by the Lebanese and Syrian governments and not Walid Junblat or any party or side. I will not permit the eruption of the civil war as far as I am a president in power."

Economically speaking; the titles were clear: but what was remarkable is that the Lebanese president highlighted the achievements of his prime minister Rafik al-Hariri. A matter which has special significance because of the close links al-Hariri has in Paris. Lahoud stressed that al-Hariri government is doing its best to convene the international economic conference Paris. There are not many rich people left in Lebanon and the middle class has shrunk but the Lebanese citizen knows how to live day by day and the hope pinned on France is great; not only at the bilateral level but also through France work in Europe in support of Lebanon and it is necessary to fulfil the international support promised to be given to Lebanon in the economic level.

Previous Stories:
  Vedrine to visit Beirut on April 29   (3/9/2001)
  France refused to receive Antoine Lahd   (11/20/2000)
  French source denies Peres statements   (11/8/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search