Iran, France and Saudi Arabia

Saoud Al – Faisal, foreign minister of Saudi Arabia received Iran's message to king Abdullah Bin Aziz in his meeting with Mohammadreza Baghari, deputy in charge of Arabian affairs of Iranian foreign minister in Saudi embassy in Rabat, Morocco.

France and Saudi Arabia are supporting Lebanese cabinet in order to put an end to the crisis between Lebanese government and opposition groups.

The purpose of the newly started attempts is to put an end to the critical condition before the forthcoming presidential election in Lebanon. France has also joined Iran and Saudi Arabia in their diplomatic attempts in order to help Lebanese parties to form a united, national government and avoid a political gap in the short time till Lebanese presidential election just after reaching a quite stable condition after their own presidential election.

After his meeting with the head of Lebanese parliament Nabih Bari, Iranian ambassador in Lebanon described the current atmosphere as favorable. In response to the question if his attempts were in line with those of Abdol – aziz khoja's, Saudi ambassador in Beirut, Mr. Sheibani told the American newspaper "The Daily Star" that Iran, France, Saudi Arabia and most importantly Lebanese political parties are all working together and in line with each other.

Dani Simono, France foreign ministry spokesman said his country was prepared to negotiate with Hezbullah as suggested by secretary of Iranian supreme council of national secretary. He added that within the boundaries of contact made with Lebanese political parties, his country was prepared to meet with Hezbullah officials.

Simono also added that Paris welcomes negotiations with all groups in order to help stability in Lebanon and in accordance with the four-article proposal made by secretary of Iranian supreme council of national security regarding France –Hezbullah co-operations.

He also stated - noting Iran – U.S. negotiations- that France was ready to study the situation in Lebanon. According to him, France has received a meeting request from Hezbullah representative and is ready to sit at the table.

This meeting has not been arranged yet since none of the parties has found an appropriate time. France embassy in Lebanon is in contact with Hezbullah and is making efforts for stability and security according to Paris.

Paris described French foreign minister, Brenard Kochner's meeting with Michele Oun the leader of Lebanese Marounis, as positive. Regarding Larijani's proposal, Simono said that Bernard Kochner also in his recent trip to Lebanon had mentioned this proposal. Mr. Larijani had suggested establishment of a court within international definition in Lebanon, holding presidential election, turning Hezbullah to a political movement and creation of a national united government.

Regarding France's position toward establishment of an international court he said France had not clarified its position and that at that moment U.N. security council was working on that issue as requested by Lebanese government. He hoped that court would be formed as soon as possible.

The spokesman of French foreign ministry stated that France is against Iran's proposal to form the court inside Lebanon.

Iranian, French and Saudi Arabian attempts are reaching new phases as a high- ranking source from opposition party tells Reuters that a solution to the crisis is being approached and final steps are being taken. However, caution is necessary as the same state had been achieved before but everything suddenly went wrong.

 "Al- Safir" newspaper in an article published on June 9 wrote that America was trying to cause indisposition in Iranian and Saudi attempts. According to this newspaper's experts, America is pushing Lebanon towards the creation of two governments and cause indisposition in the presidential election.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are trying to create a positive attitude towards the proposal which is about expansion of the government and handing 11 seats of it to opposition so that this can create a suitable atmosphere before the election in the forthcoming autumn.

The position of American ambassador Joeffry Wiltman and his warnings have created a pessimistic image of the future as he emphasized that Lebanon is going towards more complication and a more serious crisis and he did not show the faintest optimism.

On the contrary to Wiltman's position regarding the fact that his country has no

disagreement to expansion of the Lebanese government, his position and objection to Saudi attempts, raise the question about what America really seeks in Lebanon.

Some remarkable sources from Hezbullah warned that Americans are trying to turn Lebanon to a battle field between Hezbullah and Al-Qaida and expand what is happening in Iraq to Lebanon.

Later in June, Paris will host Lebanese political party chiefs in order to study solutions to the current crisis in that country.

Bernards Cochner, new French foreign minister invited all Lebanese groups to this meeting in Paris. This in-official meeting is being held with the purpose of encouraging Lebanese groups to re-commence their talks.

French foreign ministry spokesman's deputy said that this meeting will be held near the end of this month but about the place of it he said they preferred it to remain secret.

In reaction to the invitation from France to this in-official meeting a source in "Al –

Mostaqbal" movement led by "Saad Al Hariri" expressed their interest in the plan and said they were prepared to respond to this innovative plan as soon as it is made official.

"Simon Abi Remia" member in charge of foreign information in "Lebanon free National Movement" led by "Michel Oun" also said his group welcomes the Paris meeting.

This innovation by France was first mentioned on May 28 during the meeting between Bernard Cochner and Michel Oun in Paris. The head of Executive Board of Lebanese

Forces expressed interest in the meeting and suggested the attendance of Nasrollah, ambassador of Marounis' arch boshop in the Paris meeting.

"Samir Jaja" said they welcome any talk proposal. March 14 Forces have been asking for a return to the table for months. Mr. Jaja said the meeting which France has

suggested, can help solve many problems if the level of participation is similar to that of previous talks in Lebanon.