Syrian President Meeting With Sarkozy

PARIS: Visiting Syrian President Bashar Assad said that peace in the Middle East will be the focus of his talks with President Nicolas Sarkozy, and that “France must act.”

Assad’s visit to Paris two days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, giving the impression that France is positioned so it has long sought – a greater role in efforts for peace in the Middle means.

In an interview published today in Le Figaro newspaper, Assad was critical of what he says is the “weak link U.S.” in peace efforts in the Middle East and urged Barack Obama president to establish an action plan for renewed peace talks.

France’s offer to resume peace efforts include a trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories in the coming days by Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.