France snubs Syria over Lebanon

PARIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- France is breaking off diplomatic contacts with Syria amid tensions over Lebanon's presidential election.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy Monday said the links would be restored only if Syria could prove it was not trying to manipulate the vote.

Sarkozy told reporters in Egypt "Syria has to stop talking and start demonstrating" it is not meddling in the Lebanese election, Euronews.net said.

Lebanon hasn't had a president since November and is split between pro-western and pro-Syrian groups. The two sides have not been able to agree on a power-sharing plan.