French, German leaders urge Syria not to "destabilize" Lebanon

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Jacques Chirac urged Syria on Tuesday not to meddle in Lebanon and sabotage peace and stability in the region.

"France and Germany call for an end to all interference in the affairs of Lebanon," said a joint statement issued after a meeting between the two leaders in Mettlach, western Germany.

"They wish that Syria will no longer support forces that want to destabilize Lebanon and the region," the statement said.

"Through a change in its behavior Syria can hope to develop the normal relations it desires with the international community, including the countries of the European Union," it said.

Merkel and Chirac also voiced their full support for Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and called on all parties in Lebanon to find their way back to dialogue so that all problems can be resolved by the country's democratic institutions.

The allegedly Syrian- and Iranian-backed Shiite movement says Siniora's government no longer represents the Lebanese people after six pro-Syrian ministers resigned last month, reports from Beirut said.

Lebanon's army deployed more soldiers in Beirut on Monday after the killing of a pro-Syrian Shiite Muslim and analysts fear that anti-government protests could turn into sectarian violence.

Source: Xinhua