Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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January 2, 2008

Syria Halts Contacts With France on Lebanon
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AC6E93:A6F02AD83191E1607EE90677C096BD6970AD7039DCD7B7E4& French president
said Sunday his government was cutting contact with Syria until he has
proof that Damascus is willing to let Lebanon choose its president by
consensus Syria says it is ending contacts with France on Lebanon's
political crisis, days after France announced a similar move against
Damascus.

Syria's foreign minister, Walid Muallem, said Wednesday that Damascus
has suspended working with France to resolve the political deadlock in
Lebanon.







France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (File)On Sunday, President Nicolas
Sarkozy said his government was cutting contact with Syria until he
has proof that Damascus is willing to let Lebanon choose its president
by consensus.

Syria says French officials are blaming Damascus for their own failure
to solve the deadlock, where Lebanon's pro-Western government faces
opposition parties backed by Syria and Iran.

Last week, Lebanon's parliament postponed a presidential vote for the
11th time.

Lebanon has been without a president since November 23 because of the
deadlock between its government and opposition.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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