French ex-premier declares support for UNIFIL

Former French Socialist Prime Minister Laurent Fabius highlighted Sunday France’s commitment to pursue its mission as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon if French Socialist presidential candidate Francois Hollande were elected. Fabius, who is campaigning in favor of Hollande, strongly condemned “the massacres” in Syria and the “indescribable brutality” of President Bashar Assad’s government. During a meeting Sunday with around 50 French residents in Lebanon, Fabius addressed the French Socialist party’s view on Middle Eastern affairs. Fabius said Assad’s regime “is acting with indescribable brutality,” and called for strengthening the role of the United Nations. Fabius criticized the spread of nuclear arms and said Iranian nuclear activity constitutes a grave danger. Fabius also confirmed the French Socialist Party’s support for the Arab Spring. He added that free elections are a necessary condition, but not enough for establishing a democratic system in Arab countries that have witnessed uprisings. Beirut - The Daily star