France's Royal calls for dialogue with Syria

BEIRUT, Dec 1 (Reuters) French Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal today suggested that France talk to Syria to try to reduce tensions in neighbouring Lebanon, going against the policy of French President Jacques Chirac.

Royal, on a visit to the West Asia aimed at strengthening her foreign policy credentials, said she broadly agreed with French policy towards Lebanon, its former protectorate, but proposed conditional talks with Damascus.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters today rallied in Beirut to force the resignation of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's US-backed government in a demonstration called by Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies.

Royal said there were two international schools of thought on Syria -- one that was opposed to negotiations with Damascus and one in favour of unconditional talks.

''I wonder if there might be a position that would consist of getting past this antagonism by considering that dialogue with Syria should not be closed in principle but in being opened should be made conditional on tangible acts,'' she told reporters at the French ambassador's residence in Beirut.

Chirac said on Wednesday that France and the United States agreed there was no point in talking to Syria because the conditions for an honest dialogue did not exist.

REUTERS SBA BST0249