Two Cabinet ministers on Saturday angrily accused French President Jacques Chirac of supporting the Lebanese opposition's effort to unseat the pro-Syrian government, with one minister saying Chirac was leading the battle. The harsh criticism followed Chirac's recent visit to Beirut, where he visited the family of assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a longtime friend. Hariri died with 16 others in a massive bombing in Beirut on Monday. Opposition leaders and Hariri's supporters have blamed the Lebanese and Syrian governments for the assassination. Both governments deny involvement, and the Lebanese government has accused the opposition of exploiting Hariri's slaying to reap political gains ahead of parliamentary elections expected by May. A statement issued by Hariri's family following Chirac's visit Wednesday said the French president was in Lebanon on private visit to pay his condolences. He did not meet any Lebanese officials, the statement said.
