Lebanese president wraps up French tour

PARIS, March 18 (UPI) -- The June legislative elections in Lebanon were a sign the country was moving in the right direction in a new era of democracy, the Lebanese president said.

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman wrapped up his three-day visit to France Wednesday, meeting with his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon.

Suleiman hailed the June elections as an opportunity for the Lebanese people to take part in a novel system of government in the Middle East, the Lebanese Naharnet news service reports.

"It will be a good day for Lebanon, and the Lebanese will know for sure they enjoy a unique system of democracy in the Middle East," he said.

Sarkozy noted the importance of the thawing relations between Beirut and Damascus as part of the broader regional effort.

Lebanon opened its first-ever embassy in Damascus on Monday. Syria opened its Beirut embassy in December.

On the regional complications stemming from Israel, Suleiman noted a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict "must not come at the expense of Lebanon or harm Arab interests."