FRANCE: SYRIAN PRESIDENT HAFEZ AL-ASSAD PLAYS HOST TO FRENCH LEADERS DURING OFFICIAL VISIT.

Record ID: 276665

  • Title: FRANCE: SYRIAN PRESIDENT HAFEZ AL-ASSAD PLAYS HOST TO FRENCH LEADERS DURING OFFICIAL VISIT.
  • Date: 19th June 1976
  • Summary: 1. GV President Giscard d'Estaing and wife arriving at Hotel Marigny by car and entering, greeted by President Assad 0.35 2. SV Mr. & Mrs. Jacques Chirac arriving 0.42 3. SV Foreign Minister Sauvagnargues and wife arriving 0.50 4. SV & CU INTERIOR President Assad and President Giscard and wives greeting guests (3 shots) 1.09 5. SV EXTERIO
  • Embargoed: 4th July 1976 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVA2MYOE4UYKV5NKRMNMGWJ0RVWE
  • Story Text: Syrian President, Hafez al-Assad took time off from a busy round of meetings in Paris to play host to French leaders on Friday (18 June).

    SYNOPSIS: Throughout the three days of the Syrian leader's visit he met continually with the French President and other members of the French cabinet. Unprecedented security precautions were taken during his stay at the Hotel Marigny, the official guest house near the Elysee Palace. Police sharpshooters were placed on the rooftops and other armed police in bullet proof waistcoats patrolled the streets. President Giscard d'Estaing was the first to arrive for the reception which was given by the visiting President and his wife.

    Next came French Prime Minister, Jacques Chirac and his wife.

    French Foreign Minister Sauvagnargues was also there. Earlier he had been deeply involved in talks to try and find a settlement to the Lebanese crisis - the main reason for President Assad's visit. Earlier this month Mr. Sauvagnargues met with his Syrian counterpart Mr. Khaddam and after that meeting said that the French and Syrians had identical views on Lebanon.

    Speaking before he left for home on Saturday (19 June), President Assad said that a meeting, which would bring all the warring factions in the Lebanon together, was being arranged by the French President. But, he said, peace and security must be restored before any such meeting. President Assad said he hoped that all the Lebanese factions would agree to a dialogue - the only way out of the Lebanese crisis.
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