President Assad's visit to France

Diplomatic sources in Paris asserted yesterday that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad will pay an official two-day visit to France on July 16. The visit is at an official invitation of President Jacques Chirac extended to President al-Assad on May 24.

This will be the first visit by President Assad to France since 1976 and his first official visit to a Western state since then. In January 1994 President al-Assad visited Geneva where he held a summit meeting with US President Bill Clinton which lasted for several hours.

The French President visited Damascus in 1996. His visit helped in strengthen French-Syrian relations. On the first day of his visit to Paris, President al-Assad will meet with President Chirac. An official dinner will follow.

On the second day of the visit, President Al-Assad will be a guest at a lunch banquet given by French Premier Lionel Jospin.

President al-Assad's visit to France comes at a time when the Middle East peace process faces a complete deadlock. There is complete cessation of Syrian-Israeli negotiations suspended since February 1996.

The visit will enable Syrian and French officials to exchange views in depth on the stalemated situation. The current situation is considered by both Damascus and Paris as threatening very grave consequences against the region. The two capitals are conducting continuous contacts to exchange views on the regional situation.

Relations between Paris and Damascus have been notably improved after passing through a difficult phase during the 1980's. Last June President Chirac said the two countries passed one of the most positive stages in their relations.

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine described Syria as a "strategic partner."