The “key to any future relations between France and Syria is Lebanon. “

" From the moment there is a concrete result obtained in Lebanon we can envisage a real normalization and resumption of a true dialogue with Damascus on all regional subjects and not only on" Lebanon, Sarkozy was quoted as telling the London based daily Al Hayat.

"What we are waiting for is for Lebanese politicians to assume their responsibilities and put into action the Arab plan, beginning with the immediate election of the consensus (presidential) candidate Michel Suleiman," he added.

"That presupposes as well that all regional parties, beginning with Syria, play a positive role in this," said Sarkozy, who begins on Sunday a three-nation Gulf tour beginning in Saudi Arabia.

Sarkozy ordered normal contacts with Syria broken off late last month, accusing Damascus of failing to match its words about wanting a settlement to the crisis in Lebanon with deeds on the ground.

In a tit for tat response , Syria retaliated by saying it will end cooperation with the French.

The democratically elected government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has accused the pro-Syrian opposition of repeatedly blocking the vote at the behest of Damascus after the two sides reached agreement on army chief General Suleiman as a compromise candidate.

Lebanon has been without a president since November 23, 2007, when the term of the pro-Syrian president Emile Lahoud expired.

Suleiman was nominated to be the next president , but the opposition is insisting on a whole basket of demands before they agree to go ahead and elect him. The majority calls these demands extortion and blackmail.

The Hezbollah-led opposition has appointed general Michel Aoun to negotiate the basket of demands , but the majority has refused to negotiate with Aoun, on the basis that he is not the decision maker and is being used as a tool by Hezbollah . The majority considers Aoun the problem and hence is not qualified to come up with any solutions to end the crises

Sources: Al Hayat, Ya Libnan

Tags: Aoun, France, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Sarkozy, Suleiman, Syria