Sarkozy welcomes Assad in Paris

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) welcomes Syrian President Bashar al-Assad prior to a meeting at the Elysee palace on July 12, 2008 in Paris, on the eve of Paris summit of the Mediterranean countries.

12 July 2008

Paris-French President Nicolas Sarkozy has welcomed his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, to the Elysee Palace.

The meeting, part of a weekend of diplomatic efforts centred on the Middle East, marks a return to the world stage for the Syrian president.

Relations between the two countries became strained following the assassination in 2005 of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri.

France accused Damascus of involvement, an allegation denied by Syria.

'Boost'

Mr Sarkozy will later host a meeting between Mr Assad and Lebanon's newly-elected president, Michel Suleiman, a day after the formation of a new unity government in Beirut.

Mr Suleiman told the Associated Press that Lebanon wanted an "exchange of ambassadors and diplomatic relations" with Syria.

The two countries have not had diplomatic relations since Rafiq Hariri's death.

The Paris visit is a big boost for Mr Assad, helping Syria to break out of its diplomatic isolation, says BBC world affairs correspondent Nick Childs.

But critics say it is too much of a reward, when there are still serious question-marks over human rights in Syria and its alleged role in the killing of Hariri.

Earlier on Saturday, Mr Sarkozy held talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who will be a key player in the French leader's plan for a union of Mediterranean states, our correspondent adds.

Mr Sarkozy is hosting a summit on Sunday to launch this union, which will be attended by 43 leaders of countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Only Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is expected to boycott it.

(From left to right) Lebanese president Michel Sleimane, Qatari Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad attend a press conference at the Elysee Palace on 12 July 2008 in Paris, on the eve of the Paris summit of the Mediterranean countries; with the Leaders from some 40 countries.