Fillon Sees International Tribunal a “Source of Hope”
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has said the Special Tribunal for Lebanon was a "source of hope," adding that his two-day visit to Beirut is aimed at stressing "the continued support of French authorities."
"My visit will be an opportunity to sign important agreements that would consolidate cooperation on all levels," he told several Beirut dailies, including An Nahar, in remarks published Thursday.
He said the French government has decided to earmark a big part of its 2009 budget for military cooperation.
He told the newspapers that Paris is keeping "a close watch" on the resumption of normal ties between Beirut and Damascus.
Fillon also described the formation of the international tribunal as "a source of hope to finally find the culprits in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and to punish them."
The French prime minister stressed that France is not allied with one Lebanese camp against the other. "It is the friend of all Lebanese," he said.
Premier Fouad Saniora will welcome Fillon at the airport on Thursday at 2:00 pm. The French premier will later head to Baabda Palace for talks with President Michel Suleiman.
He will then meet with members of the French community and hold talks with Speaker Nabih Berri.
At 6:30 pm, Fillon and Saniora will hold a meeting after which the Lebanese and French delegations will sign a series of agreements that will be followed by a press conference.
On Friday, Fillon is scheduled to meet with Lebanese and French businessmen, visit Saint Joseph University and inspect French peacekeepers in the south.