 The office of LebanonÂ’s embattled pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud has accused former colonial power France of blocking his invitation to a summit of French-speaking nations.
| "They won't lemme go to the prom! All the other presidents are goin'!" |
Lahoud has been boycotted by France as well as the United States since his term in office was controversially extended for three years in September 2004 under pressure from powerful neighbor Syria.
| "We don't like you 'cuz you're selfish and won't let anybody else have a turn at being president!" |
French foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said Tuesday that Lahoud had not been invited by Romania to a Francophone summit in October and that Lebanon would be instead represented by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. A statement Lahoud’s office complained there had been “direct interference by French President Jacques Chirac to make sure no invitation is extended to President Lahoud.” |