http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3596828,00.html Did Sarkozy praise Hizbullah?
Lebanese newspaper close to terror organization reports French president said he as much during recent trip to Damascus. 'We appreciate (Hizbullah's) opposition of occupation, as France was in a similar situation in the past'
Roee Nahmias Published: 09.15.08, 10:55 / Israel News
Did French President Nicolas Sarkozy praise Hizbullah? Yes, according to Lebanese daily 'Al-Ahkbar,' considered close to the terror organization.
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The paper reported on Monday morning that during Sarkozy's recent visit to Damascus, he said Paris "does not view Hizbullah as a terror organization, rather it appreciates its opposition to occupation, as France has faced a similar experience in the past. However, it has maintains other regarding Hizbullah."
The comparison was apparently made in reference to the operations of the French resistance against the Nazi occupation of their country during World War II.
Sarkozy's visit with Syrian President Bashar Assad earlier this month marked the end of several tense years for French-Syrian relations.
According to the report in the Lebanese paper, President Sarkozy spoke with conviction on Europe's concern over the growth of fundamentalism and terror, and the danger this poses to the Mediterranean region.
"The growth of fundamentalism, particularly in northern Lebanon, constitutes a genuine threat to regional stability, as well as to the presence of Christians in Lebanon," Al-Ahkbar quoted Sarkozy as saying.
'We'll continue to back Hizbullah'
After meeting with Sarkozy, Assad was quick to proclaim Syria has no intention of severing its ties to Hizbullah.
In an interview with Al-Manar, Hizbullah's official news network, the Syrian president was asked whether his country would consider relinquishing relations with the "resistance" in Lebanon and Palestine.
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"This issue has not come up," he answered. "I believe this issue is very clear to many countries. We are not a country that bestows gifts, we are a country that discusses interests. We tell other countries this, and ask them to present us with their interests, in order to see where the two coincide."
He added, "We don't see any interest in abandoning the resistance. Our position has always been clear. Our position toward the resistance against any occupation in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine is firm and has not changed. I don't believe it will change until the occupation changes."
Assad also said Damascus would not recognize Israel before a peace accord is reached, and that democracy is not a goal for Syria.
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