Lahoud meets with Chirac, Francophonic summit to starts
Lebanon-France, Politics, 10/18/2002

The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud discussed with the French President Jacque Chirac the situation in the Middle East, bilateral relations and the convening of the Francophonuc summit in Beirut today.

Lahoud called during his meeting with the French president at Baabda palace for the revitalization of the European role especially the French role in order to resolve the current crisis in the region from the bloody conditions created as a result of the Israeli aggressive policies and the stances of the Israeli prime minister. He held Israel responsible for the exploded conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories and its effect on world peace.

The Lebanese president stressed the need of giving the Arab peace initiative a chance because it is a result of an Arab consensus and is also based on international resolutions which reflected the will of the world, besides it is the only opportunity available today before the world to end the Arab- Israeli conflict.

President Lahoud also briefed President Chirac with the Lebanon's stand regarding current developments. He stressed the need of completing the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese Shebaa farms and releasing the detainees in the Israeli jails besides Lebanon's right to maintain its sovereignty on its soil, waters and airspace and demanding Israel to compensate for the damages it inflicted against lebanon for years because of its refusal to implement UN resolution 425.

The Lebanese president also stressed the need of dealing with the question of the Palestinian refugees according to UN resolutions. He reiterated in this respect Lebanon's rejection to settle the Palestinians in the Lebanese territories because this means liquidation of the Palestinian cause, besides the economic and social consequences that would result from such an act to Lebanon.

On the Iraqi issue, the Lebanese President praised stances taken by the French President towards the continued threats against Iraq.

The Lebanese president also indicated the efforts made by the French President to convene Paris 2 conference, a sign of the growing French interest to Lebanon's future and economic progress.

Lahoud also expressed his appreciation for the role played by President Chirac to convene the Francophonic summit in Beirut, despite the pressures made on that issue.

On the other hand, the Lebanese President and President Chirac on Thursday opened the new headquarters for the national institute on administration in the presence of the speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri and the prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri.

Following the inauguration ceremony the French President said that France will support the national institute for public administration to enabling it carrying out assigned tasks.

Later in the day, President Chirac visited the government's palace where he held talks with the Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri which dealt with bilateral relations and the ME peace process developments and the situation in Iraq.

Chirac and Hariri opened at the government's palace a photograph exhibition about Beirut during the war and after its reconstruction.

In a speech before the Lebanese parliament on Thursday, the French President stressed France unwavering stand in that peace will not be comprehensive and just unless it includes Lebanon and Syria. He gave a fair solution for the question of the Palestinian refugees taking the Lebanese interests into account.

The French president also indicated the aid given by his country for Lebanon since 1978 during the first Israeli invasion of south Lebanon, noting France continued care to maintain Lebanon's independence and sovereignty and that France has strongly denounced the Israeli occupation of south Lebanon and played a role in issuing the UN security council resolution 425 states for Israeli's withdrawal from Lebanon and the first to condemn the Qana massacre.

The French President called for honoring of the international law in the conflicts in the region. He said "we have to be careful because dangers are still there." Chirac also stressed solidarity with lebanon in the economic level. He said " our decision is to place Lebanon within the first circle of partners in the area of co-operation." The French President also indicated he is playing relentless efforts to convene Paris 2 summit within the few coming weeks and taking measures that would help Lebanon in withstanding its difficulties.

Previous Stories:
  Assafir: French ambassador vows Chirac support for the Lebanese   (10/8/2002)
  French FM: We are determinant to revive ME peace   (7/23/2002)
  France supports the forthcoming Arab summit   (3/18/2002)

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