Report: Sarkozy Inclined to Visit Lebanon, Bellemare in Beirut Next Week

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has expressed his desire to visit Lebanon for talks with top officials, while Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare is likely to visit Beirut next week, the privately-owned Central News Agency reported Wednesday.

The agency quoted well-informed Western sources as saying that Sarkozy had informed Lebanese officials via diplomatic channels about his wish to visit Lebanon soon.

The sources said the visit is yet to be scheduled, but noted that the date would likely be set in light of the talks that will be held by Premier Najib Miqati with top French officials during his upcoming trip to Paris in early February, at the invitation of his French counterpart Francois Fillon.

Miqati will discuss with Sarkozy the bilateral ties between the two countries as well as the future of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon in light of the recent spate of attacks against the French contingent and the U.N.’s ongoing strategic review of UNIFIL’s mission.

The agency also obtained information suggesting that STL Prosecutor Bellemare would arrive in Beirut next week on an official visit during which he would meet with President Michel Suleiman, PM Miqati, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel and Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi.

“The visit -- which is important given its timing on the eve of renewing the court’s mandate in late February – is aimed at extending gratitude to Lebanon’s government and top officials for cooperating with the tribunal and facilitating and supporting its work,” CNA said.

The visit is also aimed at assessing the Lebanese authorities’ ongoing cooperation with the court and to discussing with the officials concerned, especially the ministers of justice and interior, the measures taken to arrest and hand over the four accused whose names are mentioned in the indictment, the agency added.