France to cut Syria ties over Lebanon presidential crisis

i am a right winger (Likud/Lieberman) and so i think that neither livni nor others have any grasp of the geo-political realities of our region ... so spare your energy, you dont have to convince me that she is talking nonsense ... as to syria i think it's more tricky ... syria is reforming and despite the fact that it remains a brutal regime it has lost some of its teeth ... they can't just execute people without trial ... even if they throw people to jail, it's individuals and not thousands ... and they are tried before this, something the baathists would not bother doing a few years ago ... syria is much more vulnerable now because it's in a transition state ... their economic reforms may be limited and too late but they are real ...it's different from saddam

NB, I am aware of the stats you've mentioned regarding Syria, though this gloomy picture will not be sufficient to undermine the power of this ruthless regime. Bear in mind that this regime been in power for 40 years, and the country been in a 'state of emergency' for all this time. The alwaites are masters at this brutal game and can't be removed from power easily. A case in point is Saddam and how a decade of economic sanctions did nothing to loosen his grip on Iraq. The point I raised in my initial response was that this regime is beyond reform and I am puzzled by Livni's statement of choosing to work with such regime (removing them from the 'axis of evil'). My question remains don't you find such statements from Livni preposterous given Syria's behavior?

Mr. Assad, No more shopping spree with your wife in Paris! You are not welcome there any longer. As long as you don't change your stance, no more VIP status. There is a new gaurd in France and they will not play footsie with Terrorist nurturing nations. God Bless Mr. Sarkozy!

say what you will...but why does it all align...you cannot convience someone seeing a donkey that it is not there...and that is what the jews are attempting to do, and have failed.

jay i dont know if moderators allow posting direct web links but you can find information on many sites dedicated to the middle east such as IRIN or MEED. try google for "Damascus' tough choices" by MEED. also take into account that neither the big boss in teheran is doing so nicely. Iranians are struggling to keep exporting oil. Their production is declining too even though unlike syrians they are nowhere close to run out of oil. It's just that these assholes forgot to upgrade their oil fields on time. Iranians are already cutting their subsidies. If you noticed some riots in Iran a few months ago when they were burning gas stations, that was it. Syria is also still struggling to keep its demographics under control. Within the next 10-12 years its workforce will double while unofficial estimates put unemployment already at 20%. Add to this a huge hidden unemployment that in some state companies is reaching 40-50% and you can get the idea.

Sarkozy: "I will not make any more contacts with Syria ... as long as there is no proof of Syria's will to let Lebanon choose a consensus president". Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal: "called Sarkozy's comments surprising, telling...that Damascus was working with France to reach an agreement on a president who represents all Lebanese." Mubarak: "I ask Syria to intervene with the influence that it basically has in Lebanon to work to create agreement". Do you note the contradictions? Obviously you know more, but it's not to the point. What does Sarkozy object to? Syrians doing something? Not doing something? Doing what? Don't tell me that Sarkozy became suddenly crazy. If you can...

Walid marvelous post. I fear the obvious. Natalie and others are not at all interested in peace in the our little corner of the neighborhood. Their agendas are based upon the continuation of conflict. It serves to keep the light of revolution and rebellion alit in their childish Marxist minds, it helps drive up the price of oil, and they do not care about us. I hope that Lebanon will find peace. The Lebanese that I have known are good people, yet they have fallen prey to elements and nations that abuse them.

"...Damascus was working with France to reach an agreement on a president who represents all Lebanese...." Who represents France and/or Syria, you mean! Let Syria and France agree or disagree about a Lebanese president. It is none of their business! It is high time that the Lebanese people tell all these foreigners to get lost! It is none of Bush's business, nor Assad's, nor that of the Iranian loudmouth what the Lebanese do in their elections. Bush is still thinking in colonial terms; Assad has forgotten that Syria was once no more than a province of the Ottoman Empire; France has forgotten that she gave up and moved out of the Middle East; and the Iranian loudmouth still dreams of a comeback of the Persian Empire. Colonialists! Colonialists, one and all! Bah!

Sarkozy is not on Israel side, he even opposes Har Homa building. Sarkozy is acting against Syria because he is aligned on the Saudis positions. French foreign policy in the ME is based on Saudis policy. Basically, Sarkozy is going back to the Chirac's Syrian policy Saudis are no friends of Israel, so far, Sarkozy has not proved to be a friend and he is very unlikely to prove it.

But what does Spain have to say here.?

Which is how Hesbala started the war. Hesbala used both shrapnell loaded missiles and cluster munitions in their"gifts" as you put it. Don't like it? Do not start a war with Israel ESPECIALLY making Israeli civillians part of the openning salvo. Get it now? Nasrallah did!

This was a material breach!!!! As in WAR AGAINST THE JEWS breach!!! I am simply amazed at your knowledge of facts. But you fail miserably in analysis, conclusions and communication of facts which in many instances are superceded and are no longer relevant. You are but a data collection person. Sadly, reminds me of autism.

Rick, you are dissecting out the origination of hostilities to blame Israel. Seems to be the way many prefer to it, but don't worry, I am here to help. Syria has facilitated the construction the Hezbollah power in Lebanan. Syria has insured the build-up of the terrorists' arsenal. Hezbollah attacked the sovereign Israel, killing and kidnapping her sons. From that point on, Hezbollah, Syria and the parent company Iran, are responsible for whatever damage is done. Especially when Hezbollah uses civilians as shields for the katushyas which were the IAF target. Whether or not you approve of Israel's responses, they have always been just that - responses. Ever since 1948. Don't like the responses? Tell the aggressors to stop aggressing. That is to say, stop trying to ignore that you are placing the cart in front of the horse.

What Arabs can't get through military power they seek to get through politics or legalities.Unless they negotiate a deal with Israel, all they will get is the status quo. They and their pals have no power to get them anything more. They can always wait for tomorrow or next year or next century.

I wish I can share your optimism about the demise of the Alwiate regime, though judging from Israeli officials' statements (determined on removing Syria from the 'axis of evil') makes you wonder? Israelis should be outraged upon hearing such rubbish from Livni given Syria's track of sponsoring/enticing terrorism, as a Lebanese I was!

Who cares?

Syrian bombings and assasinations ??? Hey, did you just forget about the Israeli war that killed hundreds of civilians and destroyed Lebanon? How about the 30000 bombs thrown the last 72 hours of the war? Was it a gift given to children by TSAHAL ?

When one has nothing intelligent to say is it necessary to make insults and attempt to split hairs? Yes, I am aware of that definition, but I am sure you are aware of the fact that it is also used specifically with regard to the illogical hatred of Jews. I'll not claim you are ignorant, as I know you know what you are doing - refusing to be quiet6 when you have nothing of intelligence to say. Still, I will wait for you to add value to the discussion, just in case you can. I am always willing to learn, even if it only the thought process of anti-Semites.

Very true the Arabs knocked the UN out of the Midfdle East on day one. Very true their friends now complain about Israel regarding the UN general assembly diregarding the fact that the Arabs dismissed the UN in the first place,very true.

as usual tosefta you completely misunderstand.the syrians want to have lebanon under their control no matter who the nominal president is. hizballah on the other hand wants to get rid of the taif agreement which formalised the present system whereby a christian is the president. they do not care about agreements or anything else.with iran's insistence they want a new order in lebanon.they will of course win in the end.

arabs are semites and although there are some arabs called sephardi who are jooish most joos are not semites but rather aryan white ashkenazi joos from russia so are you saying people on this forum like yourself are anti semetic for hating arabs? i would have to agree you should be ashamed of yourseld

France has real hard time figuring out that her former colonies are no longer any of her business. About the only one that ever got the point across was Viet Nam -- and look what they had to do to communicate the idea. 'No. We really, really don't want you around.' After eight years of war, France finally took the hint.

if there were any justice in the world you would be paying the palestinians and all your other neighbors for all the trouble you have caused them

who cares for this hopeless country and its never ending sectarian mess??? Though sane Lebanese reading this thread should cheer up: Syrian economy is in shambles and the oil output is plummeting. Next year the government should start slashing subsidies on diesel and food and if the experience of our other neighbors has any lessons to offer, the coming year will be the year of massive social unrest in Syria. The day is not far away when the alawite regime will collapse with hezbozo and its friends losing access by land to their iranian patron. At this point hezbozo, sandwiched between israeli firepower on one hand and the rest of lebanon on the other, may come to regret the fact that it has pissed off so many people around.

A very cheap act by Sarkoszy which will not bring him any Napoleonic fame. The Lebanese have already agreed on the next, consensus President. This was the hard part, and the Syrians have approved of the choice or else it would not have taken place. The argument now is about sharing power. The pro Syrians want to have a third of ministers in the government. Considering that the Shiites alone constitute some 40% of the population, they seem to deserve it. It would have been more fruitful for Sarkozy to pressure Bush to stop meddling. I can't see any reason why the Syrians should be blamed.

one state for usa and mexico sounds reasonable ? bar harbour is that ahome for the mentally impaired ?

ok, how about some compensation for the wars and terrorism. You might also wish to agree that after the 67 war israel offered the arabs judea/samaria/gaza/golan/sinai in exchange for peace.....3 No's at Khartoum, care to remember.

Special Dispatch ? Syria December 30, 2007 No. 1796 Senior Leader of Muslim Brotherhood in Syria on Assad's Regime and Syria-Iran Relations To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD179607 . The Paris-based weekly Al-Watan Al-Arabi recently published an interview with Farouq Tayfour, deputy head of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria. In the interview, Tayfour said that Syria was under strong Iranian influence in the religious, economic and military spheres. He also stated that his movement was following a policy of non-violence and civil resistance, and was not acting against the regime -so that there would be no recurrence of the 1982 massacre in Hamat, and because of the lack of regional and U.S. support for activity against the Syrian regime. The following are excerpts from the interview:(1) Anyone Who Opposes Iran's Influence Is Persecuted Interviewer: "The Syrian regime is currently under siege, [just] like its ally, the Iranian regime. Evidence suggests that [the Syrian regime] no longer has the capability, or the nerve, to destroy and to slaughter. [Don't you agree?]" Tayfour: "The Americans and the Israelis are opposed to a change of regime in Syria and to the Islamists coming to power in Damascus. Furthermore, the Islamist movement in Syria is under siege and is unable to act. The situation in Iraq does not encourage the opening of additional [fronts] in the region; furthermore, the [overall] situation of the Arabs is complicated. "Iran's intervention in the Arab arena has had a great impact as well. Iran has infiltrated Syria to a very great extent, and in spite of the danger this represents, no one has pointed out the true meaning [of this development]. "Firstly, Syria is being flooded with Shi'ite religious propaganda; secondly, the Iranians are in control of the Syrian economy - so much so that Syrian institutions, government ministries, and industries have all passed into Iranian hands; thirdly, there has lately been Iranian military intervention in Syria. For six months now, missile batteries have been deployed around Damascus, and the teams in charge of them are from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Syria has fallen under Iranian occupation

A very cheap act by Sarkoszy which will not bring him any Napoleonic fame. The Lebanese have already agreed on the next, consensus President. This was the hard part, and the Syrians have approved of the choice or else it would not have taken place. The argument now is about sharing power. The pro Syrians want to have a third of ministers in the government. Considering that the Shiites alone constitute some 40% of the population, they seem to deserve it. It would have been more fruitful for Sarkozy to pressure Bush to stop meddling. I can't see any reason why the Syrians should be blamed.

1947(Resolution 181).The problem is that since then they have been in non compliance of 181.The fact that the Arabs rejected it in 1947 is not relevant.The 181 is still in the books and can be implemented,because it is still the only legally authorised border between israel &Palestine.

I need my own column on Haaretz, these talk backs don't allow for enough words. Those of you who mindlessly belch out the same old "Israel stole land" and, "What about reolution 181?" crap, read this so that I may get on to respondiong to the article: http://www.stopsharialaw.net/?p=30 Now, to the article. I appreciate Sarkozy's stance against Syria's continuous meddling in the affairs of Lebanan, but I think that it should be remembered that they are not alone. The government is threatened by an entity that has as much power, and that is Hezbollah - Iran's creation. Would it be a better idea to keep the lines of communication open and influence Syria to move away from Iran into more civilized, acceptable behavior? Bush has meant well, too, but I think it can be said that his similar means have not brought about the desired ends. Just a thought.

What about King Albert (of Belgium) as a consensus presidential candidate? He's known to be Christian, and may soon be on the look-out for a new job..

Sorry for writing so late, I just had a visitor to whom I gave, as a christmas present, a book with interviews from Jewish citizens of Bielefeld who fled from here during national socialism. "to stay alive europe must get tough again" No continent has brought so much evil to the world as Europe. The death of Europe might be necessary so that we can live. People have to be tough in Europe because of the violence of our culture: industrial exploitation was perfectioned here, in Germany we even brought it to industrial extermination of human beings. Certainly, the christian bourgeoisie can afford some beauty and good manners because they live on colonial inheritence, on the goods of Jews that they murdered and on cheap labour from immigrants of the east. Maybe they'll even succeed to recruit you for the next war against some Arab state that they suspect of burying oil for their Renaults, Mercedesses and Rovers under their sand. Europe's got fertile soil that we can live on very well

France under Sarky and Kouchy think that they are still the colonial power of the 50s. They have got it wrong. They can go jump.

Isnt it refreashing to see a French president who stands on his feet and not on his knees with his head bobbing in and out.Good Man Sarkozy.

Glad we agree. I'm no fan of Bush - and you will not find me defending him.

Bravo Nicholas! A nos amis français, on vous salue d'Israël!

abolished since: 1.Hague Regulations(1907). 2.Kellog Briand Pact of 1928,glossed by the International Tribunal at Nuremberg in 1948. 3.UN Charter 1945. israel's presence is Illegal in all land not allocated to israel in 1947(Resolution 181,the Partition Resolution).It is ironic that israel accepted 181 happily in 1947 and has since then been in non compliance of 181.It was created by 181.To reject it means to reject its own territorial base! I saw some ads.in Haaretz about the 60th anniversary of israel's independence!It proclaimed independence on the basis of territory allocated by 181.

u r clutching at straws. firstly, there are still living and breathing injuns (some still in reservations...apartheid ?). secondly, jews/judaism,hebrew, the very name israel etc etc are every bit as m.eastern as anything arab/muslim so have every right to be in m.east ...NOT TRUE for white europeans speaking English in Maine. You have zero reason to be where you are, whats to stop you giving the land back now or is thee theft now legal ?thirdly, jews accepted partition, arabs did not. Fourthly, not everything belongs to arabs, other peoples have rights, traditions and beliefs too.

There are plenty of other countries willing to do business with Syria. Syria should drop all traditional connections with France and turn east: China, Japan, Korea, India, Iran, Russia, other willing Europpeans. This move makes France just more irrelvant. Soon France will be muslim anyway, and they can evict Sarkozy and his zionist elk out.

from article "France, Lebanon's former colonial ruler, played a lead role in mediating the agreement on Suleiman's candidacy and has been frustrated that the deal has not yet gone through. " please note that France did not cut ties with Syria because it sponsors murderous terror groups, but because Syria damaged france's ego by not accepting the candidate that France backed. This is an appaling indictment of France's values. Murdering Israeli Jews, France can live with, but not giving enough honour to France, is the supreme crime. duncan

you forgot to mention a few small facts A) the arabs left on their own accord (largely due to the arab rant of returning to their homes with no jews) B) arabs rejected partition in 1948 C) arabs have tried to wipe out Israel on many occasions-loosing every time ! D) you may also want to admit that there are arabs in the knesset as well on Israel supreme court Ethnic cleansing? I think you are confused with your arab brothers Lastly, i have the key to my gradparents home in Algiers. When I am paid for their home and buisness i will pressure Israel. Your a hypocrite and nothing else !

You have a point. We have been engaging in this stupid adolescent political behaviour far too long now. One thing though: We are changing because the Bush administration has shown us we can't afford this knee jerk anti Americanism any more. Is has become to real and we must side with the Americans in order to bring them back on track.

Since its colonial days France has had an interest in Lebanon. Perhaps it paternalistic, but Sarkozy is trying to be of some assistance to the democratic forces in Lebanon. Why you would have a problem with this is puzzling.

Are you blind??? The Hizballa Charter calls for a Shiite state run by Sharia Law. Is that Democratic?

sorry pop, France is far from 'uselss' France no longer will tow the arab propaganda line. One by one, Europe is waking up !

France and the Western world have had enough of Syria's hegemony over Lebanon. They will stand by Lebanon and the Lebanese people against the Syrian monsters and their dogs in Lebanon (Nasralla, Berri, Aoun and teh others. I feel sorry for the Syrian people who seem oblivious to Assad's dictatorship. They still live in the DARK ages. ASSAD and the BA'ATHIST regime must go. They do not deserve to be at the peace process table. Not yet. Assad and his dogs must be dealt a-la-Saddam way for what they've done to the Lebanese

SO WHAT?????doesthis mean he has a good training, Mossad Agents are suppose to be the best in the World???????

Your point seems to be that since Maine was ethnically cleansed 300 years ago, its ok for Israel too? The difference is that there are living breathing Palestinians who had homes in what is now Israel - rotting in refugee camps all in half a dozen countries. If Israel would have been created in 1776, then it would have gotten away with it. But I thought we fought a couple of world wars to fight against imperialism and ethnic cleansing. Wiping out or cleansing another people to steal their land is no longer as accepted as it was in previous centuries. ANd therein lies the problem with Israel.

you are great, BRAVO!

The first step in Lebanon must be to fulfill the 1989 Taif Peace Agreement by removing the Christian preference in the parliament and giving equal votes to all Lebanese. Right now, Christians are guaranteed at least 50% of the seats but are only 25-40% of the population (25% 1986 CIA estimate, 40% 2006 CIA "fact" book). Let's have less interference from France and the US in Lebanon. Those two should be ashamed for backing an undemocratic regime and daring to call it "democracy."

A new awakening in Europe. Leftist governments are on the decline. There are not many left. Leftist politics of siding with the the ones committing crimes rather than with the victim and the law is on the decline. Sarkozy will possibly be the "event" that in history books will be called the "start of the awakening of Europe", or "The prelude of the demise of islam". This is big, this is good, and this is Europe. Enjoy while you can, afterwards you will not be standing if you were the enemy.

The Western Europeans are beginning to realize that the knee jerk anti Americanism that they love to engage in has brought them very little. Perhaps feeling smug, superior and looking down your nose at others starts to lose its thrill after awhile. With the emergence of Brown, Merkel and Sarkozy we seem to be seeing a more level headed approach to international affairs.

kissing Egyptian posterior. And, France has a huge interst in Lebanon. Cutting all diplomatic ties with syria is one way of showing disapproval. Good for him!

to get out of Lebanon and stay out!! The Lebanese constitution is all that people need to choose their president.

none of the refugees are citizens of Israel. Some will be citizens of Palestine, but not many.

Nicolas Sarkozy is absolutely correct when he says, "We cannot wait any longer. Syria must stop talking, must demonstrate [with deeds]." However, he should universally apply those standards to all countries and political factions.

Jews help Jews!

History will merely brush them aside. They can talk all they want for now. They are wasting their time. What happens in that region will no longer be determined by what Sarkozy or Merkel say, if indeed it ever has been since Suez.

Why is that Egyptian fatso brabbling to me? Wow, she is beautifull...

to stay alive europe must get tough again

hi infidel, hopefully with Merkel and Sarkozy (and Brown sharing Blair's understanding) in power, Europe will not continue to be spineless.

and who was forced out of maine to make way for whities

Livni acted against Israel's interest when, as you pointed out, she said Israel wishes to take Syria off the "the axis of evil" list. In fact I wrote how crazy Livni was to make such a decision although Haaretz didn't post it. That dictator-thug Assad continues to support and give sanctuary to Israel's terrorist enemies Hamas and Hizbollah. And Israel doesn't regard this as as evil? Assad is evil in every way, shape and form. Just like his old man was.

If Olmert ran France, he would have (1) Given the French Riviera over to Syrian sovereignty and (2) Established Islamic autonomy in Paris's suburbs as an opening goodwill gesture just as along as Assad smiled at him and said the 3 magic words "we recognize you". Olmert - look and learn from Sarkozy.

Sarco is a zionist - so no wonder he is following the US and trying to kiss up to Israel and turn his back on France's traditional influence in Syria. He will only succeed in making France more irrelevant. They could have been the one country with historic influence to try to make a positive difference. If he wants real democracy, why doesn't he break off ties with Israel until all the Palestinian refugees living in dozens of camps are allowed to vote for the Knesset? Those refugees were forced off of land inside of Israel, and Israel is the 'only' democracy.

post no.1.

At at time that Israel is taking Syria out of the axis of evil list (refer to smart Livni) other countries are reemphasizing the need to keep dictators in a box. Shame on Israel to perpetuate dictators, after all they are the only reason for the existence of Islamists (Hizbullah, Hamas etc..).

I am willing to bet that Israels spy corps spends a lot of time trying to uncover embarrasing history of different leaders and that they struck the mother lose with Sarkozy. It's hard to believe that a Frenchman would interupt his debauching with Mick Jaggers ex girlfriend in order to kiss Israeli posteriors whenever they need kissing. Sarkozy always brings a smile, but he must have some really dark history.

Good move Mr. President. The more international pressure put on this axis of evil, supporter of terrorism the better. Viva la France!! LOL

Now that Sarkozy is cracking down on that authoritarian thug in Damascus, his similarly authoritarian-minded supporters have come here to Haaretz to condemn him. Good luck boys. You go back Sarkozy's opponent, Assad. I'll stick with the guy who actually gave his people a chance to vote for him. The ensuing pressue on Syria can only help Israel. This is good. Those who hate Israel here on this website are so obstinate and black-hearted in their animosity, as to even oppose and mock a freely-elected President at the expense of the Lebanese suffering under Syrian bombings and assasinations. That's your moral failings.

Why anybody would want to give and take with a cartoon character like Sarkozy is beyond me. I think he is doing Syria a favor. In fact, all western leaders should cut off ties with the Arabs and leave them alone to solve their problems by themselves and STOP meddling in their lives!

Only the US, France, and Israel have the right to meddle in Lebanese affairs.

First of all, Assad is not the boss. Secondly, the Syrian Military will not give up Greater Syria. Thirdly, Lebanon is Syrias beachead for any future regional conflict.

but did you mean he's getting worse everyday?Don't make a fool of yourself.The US has already let you down,and Sarkozy is not going to replace it.

People who really want peace can only wish that the Lebanese people will resolve the Presidential crisis without giving a criminal organization like Hisbullah too much influence. Just - the Lebanese themselves have to do it, and pressure from outside is not helpful. Sarkozy's announcement rather looks like he is trying to add more official paint to his vacational trip with Carla Bruni - or has Bush found a new "poodle" after having lost Tony Blair?

Lebanon war harldy makes it capable of insisting on anything lebanese, and they should refrain to do so, besides France is not to call anything as former colonial occupier of Lebanon and Syria. On the other hand who gives a s..t what this annoying little french president is talking about? He's on his way into isolation with the US, Britain and the like anyway.

it's the God of nuclear power who sells it all to everyone, Lybia, Egypt, China... I can only guess why he's so interested in a new Lebanese president (who by law must be christian). Since some months, Belgium hasn't even a government and nobody cares. How pleasant to see he's providing you with an agreable beginning of the week.

Hey, I was told by the Europe-bashers here on Talkback we were overruled by Muslims and becoming dhimmi's. How is this possible then?

This guy is getting better every day! Bye bye Chirac! Baruch-Haba Sarkozy. The welcome sign in Israel will always be out for you.