By KUNA,
Beirut : France will take part in efforts for resolving the Lebanese problems on basis of its close and historic ties with the country, the visiting French president said on Saturday.
Nicolas Sarkozy, addressing a luncheon held by his senior host, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, at the presidential palace in Baabda just southeast of Beirut, said Paris would help in settling the local problems and vowed to contribute in efforts to establish a strong state.
Sarkozy reiterated Paris’ solid support for Lebanon, namely the newly-elected president, and praised the Lebanese Army for fighting terrorism, alluding to its crushing of militants, who had plotted to establish a fundamentalist entity in the northern refugee camp of Nahr El-Bared.
Regardless of regional crises and problems, deadly incidents in Lebanon must stop, he said, expressing opposition to a prevailing concept that some of the local problems were related to regional disputes and conflicts.
Sarkozy vowed to help in the reconstruction of the country, affirmed commitment to principles of the Paris-3 conference for this process, adding that his country planned to support the army.
On aspired prosecution of the elements behind the spate of assassination witnessed in the country since killing the former premier, Rafic Al-Hariri, in 2005, Sarkozy assured the present figures that the “criminals will be brought to account,” alluding to the formation of an international tribual for punishing the assassins.
For his part, Suleiman affirmed “Lebanon’s solid commitment to fighting terrorism and all forms of extremism.” The president said he was committed to shoring up the ailing national economy, reforming the state’s various authorities and expressed hope “to reach peace and stability and restore the state fully sovereignty.”