PARIS, April 2 (Saba) -- After the visit to the United States this week by President Nicolas Sarkozy and his talks with President Barack Obama, officials here said that both parties shared the same goals in the Middle East and wanted to see "a positive dynamic" take hold in the entire region, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported on Friday.

During statements after the talks with Obama, and in comments to the press at the side of the US leader, Sarkozy said earlier this week that he fully supported the "condemnation" by the US leader concerning Israels ongoing settlement policy, which Sarkozy said would "add nothing to Israels security." The Israeli hard line stance on building settlements in the West Bank and in Arab East Jerusalem is throwing up a major obstacle to progress in peace talks and is preventing any resumption of even indirect talks with the Palestinians as proposed by the United States.

"On the occasion of this visit by the President of the Republic to Washington, what we share with our American friends is, firstly, communality of aims. Also, a dialogue and constant exchange with them, and finally what we share with our American partners and friends is a veritable desire to see a positive dynamic created and spread through all the region," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said here.
Asked about threats to stability, in particular in Lebanon, Valero said in a briefing that France stood by Lebanon and was engaged, under the aegis of the United Nations, on the ground in that country.

"France, under the flag of the United Nations, is physically engaged in favour of Lebanese security and peace in the region through our participation in UNIFIL," Valero recalled.

He also pointed out that UN Resolution 1701 was the key element for Frances deployment and policy in Lebanon.

This resolution also sets out the terms for "the stability of the region and France is attached to respect" for this resolution.
Saba