Pietton Denies France Seeking to Deploy Troops along Northern Lebanese Border

French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton denied on Friday that his country is considering to deploy troops along the northern Lebanese border.

“These reports aren’t based on facts and there’s no will to deploy French troops along the Lebanese northern border with Syria,” Pietton told reporters during a tour to the South.

The diplomat noted that France aims at helping the Lebanese Armed Forces to maintaining peace in the South through the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Asked if France will take part in the U.N. observer mission in Syria, Pietton ruled out the possibility.

“The U.N.’s decision to send monitors to Syria is very important as it is the first time that the Security Council members agree on a unified decision,” the French official said.

He stated that his country is “closely monitoring the situation in Syria.”

Syria signed on Thursday a deal on a protocol for observers monitoring the ceasefire under a six-point plan agreed with U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.

Pietton visited Tyre’s Grand Serail on Friday and held meetings with several officials.