Beirut/Damascus - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Monday highlighted France’s role in establishing diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria and played down the growing animosity between Israel and Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah movement. Kouchner made brief visits to Lebanon and Syria on Monday, followed agreement by the two countries earlier this month on the establish diplomatic ties for the first time since independence from France in 1943.

It also came ahead of a planned visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who also currently heads the European Union’s rotating presidency.

In Beirut, Kouchner met President Michel Suleiman and afterwards signalled France’s support for Lebanon and its improved relations with Syria, telling a press conference: “We played an important role … in establishing diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon.”

Commenting on Israel and Hezbollah, Kouchner warned of ongoing tension in the region, where, he said no one should be allowed to undermine the positive developments over recent months, including the ongoing indirect talks between Syria and Israel, with threats.

“One must always take threats seriously, both those made by Israel and by Mr Nasrallah … because this is a very inflammatory region.

“But honestly this time I don’t take either side very seriously … and I hope I am not mistaken,” he said. A day earlier, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah had vowed to destroy Israel if it carries out threats to hit Lebanon.

“If (a war) were to happen as they are threatening, our victory this time will be decisive, unquestionable and final,” Nasrallah said during a televised speech.

He was reacting to warnings by Israeli leaders have warned that Lebanon’s civilian infrastructure could become a target following the formation of a unity government in which the country’s Hezbollah-led opposition has 11 ministries and the power of veto over cabinet decisions.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a bloody 33-day war in June 2006 that was triggered by Hezbollah’s abduction of two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid.

Kouchner, who said he had cancelled a planned visit to Israel for scheduling reasons, later Monday flew to Damascus for a brief visit that included talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

He was greeted by Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abdel Fattah Amoura and the French ambassador to Syria, Michel Duclos, before heading to the presidential palace for talks with Assad.

Kouchner’s visit to Syria focussed on preparing for a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Syria from September 3-4. Kouchner also held talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moallem.

Sarkozy’s visit is expected to centre around bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East and developments between Lebanon and Syria. He was also expected to open a French school in Damascus. (dpa)