Sarkozy differs from most members of the political class in France. He has never visited this country, which has close ties with France, its "tender mother." A person close to Sarkozy says that the president's dream has always been to visit Lebanon. He got acquainted with many Lebanese residing in France, when he was the mayor of the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. They were among his voters. Some of them were active in the Gaullist Party, which brought Sarkozy to the presidency. During his election campaign, he invited a number of French-Lebanese who voted for him to the Interior Ministry, where he explained his view of French policy toward Lebanon. He affirmed the need for Lebanon's independence and sovereignty as well as his support for the course of the International Tribunal to punish the assassins of former Premier Rafik Hariri.
Sarkozy scheduled his visit to Lebanon at the end of a busy calendar, full of events, before France takes up the presidency of the European Union early July. On Saturday, he will travel directly from Greece to Beirut, to congratulate Suleiman and inform him of France's support for and interest in Lebanon's security, independence and sovereignty. For the West, Lebanon represents a symbol of coexistence between Muslims and Christians, and Sarkozy is keen to safeguard this model of diversity, which he often praises.
Sarkozy's visit is important because top French officials might accompany him. One of these officials might be Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who knows Lebanon. He visited the country as minister in the government of Jacques Chirac, accompanying former Lebanese minister Michel Edde on a trip to Sidon. Fillon told his visitors that Edde had invited him to taste the famous local ice cream on the way to Sidon. The Sarkozy delegation will include the ministers of defense (Herve Morin), foreign affairs (Bernard Kouchner) and finance (Christine Lagarde) as well as the chief of staff, General Jean-Louis Georgelin; Sarkozy is scheduled to visit French peacekeeping forces operating in South Lebanon.
Sarkozy's visit is tremendously important, as it affirms France's commitment to helping Lebanon recover politically and economically and regain its total sovereignty. Defense Minister Morin will be tasked with laying a wreath at the tomb of Martyr Hariri; Sarkozy wanted to do this himself but will be unable to do so due to the tight schedule!
The visit comes after considerable coordination with France's Arab friends. Sarkozy met Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Rome a few days ago, on the sidelines of the FAO Conference. They discussed the visit and the revived Franco-Syrian dialogue. Sarkozy also sent a letter with Morin to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, informing him of the visit to Lebanon and his contacts with Syria. France under Sarkozy has close ties with the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar, who have been part of the push to resume dialogue between Paris and Damascus, as a reward to the Syrian regime for not obstructing the Doha Agreement. The French presidency considers it important to have dialogue with Syria and Iran, since the two states have influence in the region, especially in Lebanon. France under Sarkozy wants a dialogue with Syria to keep a lid on the situation in Lebanon.
Sarkozy is expected to deliver a speech during a lunch hosted by President Suleiman, after which he will head for the French Embassy, where he will meet members of the French community in Lebanon. Sarkozy will then visit French forces in South Lebanon and leave the country with impressions he will communicate to his friend, US President George Bush, who will visit the Elysee Palace on the evening of 13 June; the following day will see Sarkozy and Bush take part in a working session in which Lebanon, Syria and Iran will be among the discussion topics on the table.
Tags: France, Lebanon, mubarak, Sarkozy, source: Al Hayat, Suleiman
