Syria 'must stop helping destabilise Lebanon'

France and Germany today urged Syria to stop supporting forces that “want to destabilise Lebanon” and the Middle East.

Syria can hope for “normal relations with the international community, particularly the countries of the European Union” if it changes its stance, according to a joint statement issued at a meeting between French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

France and Germany “want Syria no longer to support forces that want to destabilise Lebanon and the region, and to build a relationship of equals with Lebanon, within whose framework the sovereignty of each side is respected”, it said.

It did not mention by name the militant group Hezbollah, which is calling for the US-backed Lebanese government to resign and whose capture of two Israeli soldiers set off a devastating war with Israel last summer.

During a visit to Syria yesterday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier pressed Damascus to use its influence to moderate the demands of Hezbollah.

In today’s statement, France and Germany reiterated their “determined support” for the government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. They urged all sides in Lebanon to show responsibility and return to dialogue.

“In the awareness that Syria too has legitimate interests, (France and Germany) call on it to contribute to creating the conditions for a just and comprehensive peace,” they said.

Paris and Berlin also underlined their support for an international tribunal to try suspects in last year’s killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. A UN investigation implicated top Syrian officials, but President Bashar Assad has denied Syrian involvement.