Chirac voices support for Lebanon

France's President Jacques Chirac has renewed France's support for maintaining the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon.

In a cable of solidarity he sent on Friday to Lebanese President Elias Hrawi on the occasion of Lebanon's 54th independence Day, President Chirac asserted his continued efforts to strengthen friendship and cooperation relations between the two countries.

He affirmed France's continued readiness to support Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as supporting the reconstruction process carried out by the Lebanese authorities.