By SPA,
Beirut, Lebanon : French President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged strong support for Lebanon’s new president and the country’s peace efforts shortly after he arrived here Saturday at the head of a large delegation for a one-day visit.
Sarkozy is the first Western head of state to meet President Michel Suleiman since the former army chief was elected as compromise president on May 25. The election was part of an agreement signed in Qatar last month to end an 18-month political crisis, the Associated Press reported.
Sarkozy arrived from Athens and was received at Beirut airport by Suleiman, Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. His office has described the visit as an unprecedented effort to show French support for the Lebanese people.
The French president was accompanied by Prime Minister Francois Fillon and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.