Syria, France break ties over Lebanon

DAMASCUS, Syria, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Syria retaliated for France's breaking of diplomatic channels over Lebanon's political crisis by saying Damascus would sever relations with Paris.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Syria must show a willingness to let its neighbor Lebanon end its crisis and find a new president, Alalam Satellite TV said.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem announced Wednesday that Damascus would suspend contacts with France, Alalam said.

"We were surprised to learn of the comments of the French president during a press conference in Cairo in which he said Syria and the Lebanese opposition are responsible for the failure -- despite Syria's efforts, which are well known to France, and the flexibility shown by the opposition to facilitate a consensual settlement," Muallem said in the Alalam report.