French-Syrian Media War over Aoun”s Damascus Visit
Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun”s visit to Syria has triggered a "media war" between those who support the trip, from one side, and those who oppose it, on the other side.
The confrontation between the French and Syrian media was reflected in an article published by the French daily Le Figaro about meetings Aoun had held with the Israeli secret Mossad service during his exile in France.
Le Figaro said Thursday that Aoun met several times with Mossad representatives between 1991 and 2005, prompting the French intelligence to advise him against holding such meetings with "agents of a country which is engaged in a constant state of war with Lebanon."
It said Aoun rejected the advice, adding that the FPM chief strongly objected to the Syrian military presence in Lebanon.
Le Figaro said that since Aoun”s return to Lebanon he "has changed his views to fit himself with the other team which together with Hizbullah support establishment of good ties with Damascus."
The Syrian daily Al Watan on Wednesday quoted official French circles as welcoming Aoun”s visit to Damascus.
Al Watan said the French circles declined to comment on Aoun”s visit.
"We cannot but welcome, however, any initiative that could help normalize relations between Lebanon and Syria," one French source said.