From correspondents in Beirut, Lebanon, 01:02 PM IST

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed that his country will not abandon Lebanon's Shia resistance movement Hezbollah.

Assad in an exclusive interview with Hezbollah-run al-Manar Television Thursday said 'we do not see any interest in abandoning the resistance (Hezbollah). Our position toward the resistance against any occupation in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine is firm and has not changed.'

'The French did not suggest that we abandon the resistance (Hezbollah), we are not speaking of offering gifts,' Assad said adding that 'Syria's political discourse did not change and will not change until Israel's occupation changes'.

Assad's comments came after a two-day visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Damascus during which a mini-summit was held in the presence of leaders from Turkey and Qatar to discuss the Mideast peace process.

Referring to the indirect Syrian-Israeli talks mediated by Turkey, Assad said 'when we move into the direct negotiations stage, we will talk about a sponsor whose role is not merely delivering messages and ideas between the participating sides.'

Officials accompanying Sarkozy in Damascus said the French leader offered France's help in sponsoring direct negotiations when the time comes.

Assad accused the current US leadership of working against peace and wondered how it was possible for an administration 'that doesn't believe in peace to sponsor peace talks'.

However, he added that 'whether we like it or not, the US is essential in the peace process', but he said all issues would have to wait till a new presidential administration takes office in the US.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)