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| Sarkozy to welcome Assad in Paris | Sarkozy to welcome Assad in Paris |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy is due to welcome his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, to the Elysee Palace. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy is due to welcome his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, to the Elysee Palace. |
| The meeting, part of a weekend of diplomatic efforts centred on the Middle East, marks a return to the world stage for the Syrian president. | The meeting, part of a weekend of diplomatic efforts centred on the Middle East, marks a return to the world stage for the Syrian president. |
| Relations between the two countries became strained following the assassination in 2005 of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri. | Relations between the two countries became strained following the assassination in 2005 of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri. |
| France accused Damascus of involvement, which Syria denied. | France accused Damascus of involvement, which Syria denied. |
| 'Boost' | 'Boost' |
| Mr Sarkozy will later host a meeting between Mr Assad and Lebanon's newly-elected president, Michel Suleiman, a day after the formation of a new unity government in Beirut. | Mr Sarkozy will later host a meeting between Mr Assad and Lebanon's newly-elected president, Michel Suleiman, a day after the formation of a new unity government in Beirut. |
| The Paris visit is a big boost for Mr Assad, helping Syria to break out of its diplomatic isolation, says BBC world affairs correspondent Nick Childs. | The Paris visit is a big boost for Mr Assad, helping Syria to break out of its diplomatic isolation, says BBC world affairs correspondent Nick Childs. |
| But critics say it is too much of a reward, when there are still serious question-marks over human rights in Syria and its alleged role in the killing of Rafiq Hariri. | |
| Mr Sarkozy is also due to hold talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who will be a key player in the French leader's plan for a union of Mediterranean states, our correspondent adds. | Mr Sarkozy is also due to hold talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who will be a key player in the French leader's plan for a union of Mediterranean states, our correspondent adds. |