France still rejects Syria over Lebanon

French President Nicolas Sarkozy”s top diplomatic adviser insisted that a meeting between French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem in Kuwait was no sign of thaw between the two countries or a resumption of France-Syria dialogue.

 

“Our position hasn”t changed,” Jean-David Levitte told reporters in Paris.

 

Levitte reiterated French support for the election of a president in Lebanon, the formation of a national-unity government and the discussion of a new electoral law.

 

He also reiterated Sarkozy”s decision to end dialogue with Damascus, as it is not playing a positive role in the Lebanese situation.

 

“France is still waiting for Syria,” Levitte added.

 

Muallem said Syria was not officially invited to talks about Lebanon in Kuwait and said the meeting Tuesday orchestrated by France and held on the sidelines of a conference on Iraq meant to “hijack” the Lebanese crisis to make it an international problem.

 

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said that Paris and Cairo are adopting similar positions on the political crisis in Lebanon.

 

“Both countries support the Arab initiative,” Mubarak said after meeting with his French counterpart, Sarkozy.

“This crisis requires additional efforts, consultations and dialogue to reach a solution,” he added.