French President Nicolas Sarkozy's policy is focused on achieving an extraordinary Middle East summit to be held in Paris mid-next month or early December, with the participation of Russia, the United States and some Arab Gulf States.
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper correspondent Asaad Haidar said France believes Lebanon's participation in such a summit is essential "since peace has to be comprehensive and talks must include Lebanon."
Haidar said Sarkozy may believe that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is capable of convincing his allies in the Opposition, particularly Hizbullah, to "lift their objections and reluctance."
Paris also wants, according to Haidar, to be partners in any talks it believes
Paris also wants to be part of talks it believes have become pressing regarding amendment to the Taef Accord, prompting Sarkozy to declare that the future of Lebanon is still a French concern, Haidar wrote.
He pointed out that "Damascus and Beirut are crossing points to the United Arab Emirates, where Sarkozy could conclude the 'grand prize' or the 'deal of the lifetime,' so to speak -- the nuclear reactor deal worth $40 billion, which, if completed, would open the door to France for cutting further deals in the Gulf region at a time Iran got nuclear power
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