French President Nicolas Sarkozy is due to visit Syria as part of efforts to improve ties between the two countries.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived in Syria's capital Damascus on a visit that is part of efforts to improve ties between the two countries.
He described his trip as a "message of friendship" to the Syrians, according to Syria's al-Watan newspaper.
He described his trip as a "message of friendship" to the Syrians, according to Syria's al-Watan newspaper.
Relations between Paris and Damascus plummeted after the murder of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Relations between Paris and Damascus plummeted after the murder of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Syria's critics accuse Damascus of being behind the assassination, a charge Syria has firmly denied.
Syria's critics accuse Damascus of being behind the assassination, a charge Syria has firmly denied.
Mr Sarkozy's two-day visit to Syria is the first by a Western head of state in five years.
Mr Sarkozy's two-day visit to Syria - a former French colony - is the first by a Western head of state in five years.
He hosted Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in July and he appears determined to bring Syria, a long-time foe of the US and Israel, back into the international fold, correspondents say.
He hosted Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in July and he appears determined to bring Syria, a long-time foe of the US and Israel, back into the international fold, correspondents say.
During the Paris summit, Syria and Lebanon, an important ally of France, agreed to open embassies in each other's capitals for the first since the 1940s.
During the Paris summit, Syria and Lebanon, an important ally of France, agreed to open embassies in each other's capitals for the first since the 1940s.
Mideast summit
Mideast summit
"Syria can provide an irreplaceable contribution to solving Middle East issues," Mr Sarkozy told al-Watan in an interview to be published later on Wednesday, the AFP news agency reports.
"Syria can provide an irreplaceable contribution to solving Middle East issues," Mr Sarkozy told al-Watan in an interview, the AFP news agency reports.
"It is important that Syria plays a positive role in the region," the French president said, adding that peace in the Middle East "passes through" Syria and France.
"It is important that Syria plays a positive role in the region," the French president said, adding that peace in the Middle East "passes through" Syria and France.
Mr Sarkozy is due to meet President Assad at a dinner on Wednesday evening.
Mr Sarkozy is due to meet President Assad at a dinner on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, the two presidents will be joined by top officials from Turkey and Qatar for talks on Lebanon and Syria's indirect peace talks with Israel. Ankara has been mediating for several months in the Israeli-Syrian talks, while Qatar brokered a deal in May to resolve Lebanon's prolonged political crisis.
On Thursday, the two presidents will be joined by top officials from Turkey and Qatar for talks on Lebanon and Syria's indirect peace talks with Israel. Ankara has been mediating for several months in the Israeli-Syrian talks, while Qatar brokered a deal in May to resolve Lebanon's prolonged political crisis.
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Will President Sarkozy's visit to Syria improve ties between the two countries?
Will President Sarkozy's visit to Syria improve ties between the two countries?
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