Lebanese president visits France, holds talks with French president on Lebanon, regional developments

Sarkozy says no settlements at Lebanon's expense, Sleiman calls for setting up senate

Saudi culture & information minister pays farewell visit to Lebanon

Status of Egyptian labor in Lebanon to be modified in 3 months

UNIFIL urges Israel to stop flooding Lebanese farmlands with excess rainwater

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman visited France on Monday as his country prepares to open its first ever embassy in former powerbroker Syria and gears for legislative elections in June.

A Lebanese government official told AFP that Sleiman's three-day state visit focused on French military and economic assistance to Lebanon as well as the thaw in diplomatic ties with Damascus which has been spurred by France.

Sleiman discussed with French President Nicolas Sarkozy relations between Lebanon and Syria "from the perspective of the French attention given to these ties," the Lebanese official said.

Lebanon and Syria announced the establishment of diplomatic relations in October, three months after a meeting between Sleiman and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hosted by Sarkozy in Paris.

The announcement was a major step towards normalization of ties between the two neighbors since their independence from France more than 60 years ago, and seen by Paris as a step towards the stabilization of the region.

It came three years after Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon in April 2005, ending three decades of military domination over its tiny neighbor, under pressure after the killing of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri.

Hariri's February 2005 assassination in a massive Beirut beachfront bombing was widely blamed on Syria but Damascus has denied any involvement.

Syria in December opened an embassy in Beirut, although it has not named an envoy, while Lebanon is due to open an embassy in Damascus to be headed by career diplomat Michel el-Khoury.

"The embassy will open its doors next week and the Lebanese flag will be raised over the building," a Lebanese foreign ministry official, requesting anonymity, told AFP on Friday.

French foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said that France aims to show during the visit its full support for Sleiman and for Lebanon, as the country prepares to hold legislative elections.

"The June 7 elections must be held in a climate of stability, respect democratic norms and consolidate unity, independence and the sovereignty of Lebanon to which France is attached," Chevallier said.

The vote will be the first since the Western-backed parliamentary majority and the Syria- and Iran-backed opposition reached a deal in May 2008, ending a crisis that had brought Lebanon to the brink of civil war.

Lebanon's politicians have held five rounds of "national dialogue" talks since the Qatari-brokered deal and pledged at the last encounter on March 2 to refrain from violence in the run-up to the election.

Earlier this year Sarkozy called for a "transparent and democratic" vote in Lebanon and said in a newspaper interview that Paris was prepared to "help ensure the good conduct of the election."

In February, France and Italy said they would be willing to monitor the vote after parliament majority leader Saad Hariri called for election observers during talks with French officials in Paris.

The vote could well see the Syrian-backed Hezbollah and its allies win a majority of seats in parliament, which is now controlled by a majority backed by the West and such Arab nations as oil kingpin Saudi Arabia.

Sarkozy hosted Sleiman to a dinner banquet on Monday ahead of his talks with Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Tuesday and a meeting Wednesday with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

France expects the visit to bolster trade ties but officials do not expect any major deals to be signed between the two countries.

President Sleiman returned to Lebanon on Thursday after a visit to Paris that won him accolades from Lebanese politicians. Hezbollah welcomed Thursday France's refusal to support any political party at the expense of another, as well as its call for political dialogue and consensus.

"France's position was the correct and proper entrance for a European role in helping Lebanon," Hezbollah said.

Well-informed sources quoted by Al-Hayat newspaper on Thursday said that during his visit to France, Sleiman informed Paris of his hope to reach a solution regarding the presence of Palestinian bases on the borders with Syria and outside refugee camps after the legislative elections.

According to the sources, the president mentioned another issue - the Lebanese detainees in Syria - but described it as "more difficult to resolve."

French Minister of State for Cooperation and Francophone Alain Joyandet will be arriving in Lebanon on Friday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevalier said in a statement on Thursday that Joyandet would represent France during the International Day of Francophone, taking place in Beirut on Friday and Saturday.

He would also hold talks with Lebanese officials on boosting bilateral relations and cultural cooperation.

On a separate level, Democratic Gathering bloc leader MP Walid Jumblatt praised Saudi Arabia's efforts to foster Arab solidarity. Jumblatt's statements were made on Thursday following a meeting with Saudi Information and Culture Minister and former Ambassador to Lebanon Abdulaziz Khoja.

Jumblatt praised "Khoja's support for the Lebanese state and the Taif Accord."

Commenting on the upcoming parliamentary elections, the head of the Progressive Socialist Party said: "May the strongest argument in politics, economy and sociology win."

Khoja also met on Thursday with Sleiman at Baabda Palace. A banquet was also held in the former ambassador's honor by MP Saad Hariri in Qoreitem.

Media reports said on Thursday that Syria and Saudi Arabia had agreed to remain "neutral" toward Lebanon's upcoming legislative elections.

A report published by As-Safir newspaper said the two states had stressed that Lebanon could only be governed through national consensus.

Recently, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah hosted a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah in Riyadh.

The newspaper quoted Syrian sources as saying that the Syrian and Saudi sides agreed during the meeting "not to interfere in the legislative polls and to adopt a neutral approach to the elections."

The two sides also stressed the need for Lebanon "to be ruled through consensus."

Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea met with the UN secretary general's representative in Lebanon, Michael Williams.

The meeting focused on developments in Lebanon and the region. The Central News Agency reported that Geagea had stressed the important role of international monitors overseeing the elections in ensuring that voters cast their ballots in a "democratic atmosphere."

According to the statement, both officials also discussed the need to resolve the issue of detainees in Syria prisons. Separately, in a radio interview on Thursday, former President Amin Gemayel said that there was continuous communication between the Phalange Party and the Armenian Tashnag. "The Tashnag are trying to distribute their voices among the different parties and this is complicating matters," Gemayel added.

He said that the Armenian party's position would become "clearer" in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President General Michel Suleiman received the Minister of Culture and Information of Saudi Arabia Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, who bade farewell to the President on the occasion of the end of his term of office as Saudi ambassador to Lebanon.

During the meeting, they reviewed overall brotherly relations binding the two countries and ways of their further activation and promotion in the interest of the two countries. Following the meeting, the President decorated Dr. Khoja with the National Medal of Cedar of the rank of the highest senior officer in recognition of his efforts exerted to promote relations between the two countries in various fields.

Lebanese Future Movement Leader MP Saad Al-Hariri received Khoja. During the meeting, they discussed ways of enhancing relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon in all fields.

The Head of Lebanese Parliamentary Future Bloc, Member of House of Representatives Saad Al-Hariri held in Beirut a dinner party in honor of Minister Khoja.

The party was attended by Prime Minister Fouad Al-Siniora, a number of ministers; senior officials; heads of parliamentary blocs; members of House of Representatives and Arab and foreign ambassadors.

Addressing the party, the Minister of Culture and Information said that what brings together the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon is bigger than the official relations as they are the product of genuine humanitarian ties, noting that the leaderships of the two countries have made these official and humanitarian ties unique in their objectives deserving the status of brotherhood.

He said, "I am not here to remind of the positions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards Lebanon. The Lebanese people should feel that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud does not give them up and the Saudi people feel that the Lebanese people love and receive them warmly.

Dr. Khoja believed that the national unity is Lebanon's strongest weapon, calling on all Lebanese for dialogue, which leads to a unified vision for the future of Lebanon.

In a welcoming speech of Dr. Khoja, Al-Hariri noted that Dr. Khoja has assumed one of the most important ministries in the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, after spending several years as his country's ambassador to Lebanon.

He pointed to the Minister's love of Lebanon, which faithfully reflects the view of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques towards Lebanon and its people.

Saudi Embassy in Lebanon held a party in honor of Dr. Khoja marking the end of his term of office as Saudi ambassador to Lebanon.

The party was attended by Representative of Lebanese President and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Fawzi Salloukh; a number of Lebanese ministers; members of House of Representatives; clergymen; Arab and foreign ambassadors; and members of culture and the media.

Addressing the party, the Minister of Culture and Information conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and all Saudi officials to the Lebanese leadership, government and people.

He thanked the Lebanese President, represented at this event by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants; ministers and the audience.

He expressed his appreciation of all Lebanese officials for their cooperation with him, wishing Lebanon prosperity and stability.

Dr. Khoja thanked all the staff of the embassy and offices affiliated with it, saying, "We have been working as one team representing the policy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz."

On his part, Saudi Charge D'affaires to Lebanon Adel bin Abdulrahman Bakhash expressed in his speech his thanks along with all the staff of the embassy and its offices for the Minister of Culture and Information for his encouragement, support and guidance for them.

He said that Dr. Khoja has spent in Lebanon five years full of activity, love and struggle for the sake of Lebanon and its brotherly people and he has been the best example of the great importance personally given to Lebanon by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

In a similar speech, Saudi military attaché to Lebanon, Major General Eng. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj congratulated Dr. Khoja on the royal confident in his appointment as Minister of Culture and Information, to continue his services for Saudi Arabia in another post, wishing the Minister all success.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also received Dr. Khoja. During the meeting, the Lebanese Parliament Speaker expressed appreciation for the efforts made by Dr. Khoja during his tenure as Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon to enhance the existing cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon in various fields.

For his part, Dr. Khoja thanked the Lebanese Parliament Speaker for cooperating with him during his tenure as Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon.

Then, Dr. Khoja attended a luncheon held in his honor by the Lebanese Parliament Speaker.

Khoja also met Sheikh Mohammed Rasheed Kabbani, the Mufti of Lebanon, on the occasion of the end of Dr Khoja's diplomatic tenure as Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon.

He also met Vice President of the Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon Sheikh Abdulamir Kublan.

On the other hand, in Cairo Minister of Manpower & Emigration Aisha Abdulhadi said there were intensified contacts to activate an agreement signed with Lebanon on exempting the Egyptian labor in Lebanon and the Lebanese labor in Egypt from any duties levied on them.

She said that the official Lebanese agencies are taking the necessary measures to implement the agreement, which was approved by the Lebanese president and the cabinet and now is being considered by the Lebanese parliament to pass it.

"Egypt's ambassador in Beirut Ahmed al-Bedewi has met with the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri, who asserted that the agreement is taking its normal legislative course and there were no positions inside the House against the deal," added Abdulhadi.

Manpower advisor in the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Mohammed Shiha, said there are about 22,000 Egyptians working in Lebanon legally, while there are 18,000 others are illegal workers for many reasons, including the high costs of residence and the duties on work permits and social insurance that constitute an addition burden on workers there.

Meanwhile, Israel deliberately flooded Lebanese farmlands with excess rainwater from an Israeli orchard, located off the southern town of Mais al-Jabal early Tuesday, ruining crops and properties, the state-run national news agency said.

The Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) dispatched teams to look into the incident, which drew protests from the southern residents.

Tuesday's flooding is part of a systematic practice by the Israeli authorities to turn the highly-fertile land into swamps by channeling rainwater into the fields via trenches, which were dug for that purpose. The Lebanese Army and UNIFIL have tried to block the water channels to protect the crops.

Separately, UNIFIL's media coordinator, Dhalia Farran, reiterated calls for Israel to hand over official maps detailing where the Israeli army dropped cluster bombs during the summer 2006 war.