PARIS - The United States and France on Saturday jointly called on Syria to establish "friendly"  diplomatic ties with Lebanon. A joint statement following talks in Paris between President George W. Bush and President Nicolas Sarkozy called on the two countries to "quickly establish full diplomatic relations" based on "respect, equality, security and sovereignty." 

Syria, the former powerbroker in Lebanon, withdrew its troops in 2005 in the aftermath of the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri, ending a military presence of nearly three decades. The absence of formal diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria is seen by some Lebanese as a sign of Syrian designs on their country. The United States and France also called for "supporting the international investigation and creation of a special tribunal" to try the perpetrators of Hariri's assassination. 

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month said Damascus was ready to open an embassy in Lebanon once a unity government is formed and develops good relations with Syria. "It is obvious that if there is a unity government that represents all Lebanese factions, we will have good relations with it," he said. "When these circumstances are in place, we will hopefully soon exchange embassies with Lebanon," Assad was quoted as saying to Kuwaiti newspapers. 

Sarkozy has raised concern in the US administration after he invited Assad to Paris to take part in the July 14 national celebrations and attend a summit to launch a new Mediterranean Union. The French president defended his decision on Saturday, saying that he had promised to restore high-level ties with Syria if the Lebanese presidential election ran its course. Michel Sleiman was elected Lebanese president last month.