France supports Syria ‘disassociation’ — Mikati

Paris: Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday said France supports his government’s policy of disassociating the country from the Syrian crisis, speaking after a meeting with President Francois Hollande in Paris.

According to Mikati, Hollande said the policy, described as “disassociation” by the prime minister, is “extremely wise.”

The administration led by Mikati has followed a policy of disassociation amid concern the crisis could reignite divisions in Lebanon.

In October, a senior Lebanese intelligence officer was killed in a car bomb attack that many believed was linked to the violence in Syria. And two months earlier supporters and opponents of Syria’s president clashed in the Lebanese city of Tripoli.

The Lebanese Prime Minister added the French President also supports the national dialogue held in Lebanon between the country’s political parties.

The two men also discussed the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip, Mikati said, though he didn’t provide any details.