 Paris yesterday indirectly declined that there is a probable deal between Syria and the USA as regards Lebanon. Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that he can not confirm such predictions.
| Which tells us nothing. I'd guess that any deal between the U.S. and Assad would involve bus tickets... |
Meanwhile, reliable French sources said that contacts with Saudi Arabia and Egypt have been intensified with the aim of "protecting Lebanon and taking measures in order to ease tension while waiting the results of the international investigation". In reply to a question about the reason behind the retreat of the French interest of what is happening in Lebanon and Syria and with the French Ministry considers the case finished, the ministry spokesman said:" the case has not been solved yet .We will continue according much attention to what is happening there .As you know, there are a number of decisions which were adopted .Anyway, we are much concerned and vigilant over the local situation".
| They put marbles in their mouths to learn how to talk like that. I think he said: "It ain't over yet, and we're still paying attention, so don't get too big for your Levantine britches, or maybe the Americans will do something unspecified but terrible." |
Concerning a possible deal between Syria and USA ,the spokesman addressed journalists by saying:" I ask you to put this question to them .As for France, we have firm ties with our main partners over the set issues .We have been making consultations with them months ago. So we can not confirm you assessments about (an American-Syrian deal)."
| 'Nother words, he doesn't think there's a deal, and he thinks he'd have heard about it if there was one... |
Meanwhile, a reliable French source
| That's kind of a rarity, isn't it? |
told "As-Safir" that contacts about Lebanon have recently been intensified. President Jacques Chirac himself made part of these contacts with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Hariri family.
| Trying to broker his own deal, is he? |
Chirac believes, according to the paper, that a clear message should be sent to Syria to inform it that Lebanon is not alone and the international community will not give up investigation. |