Visiting French envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran denied yesterday any French negotiation with Syria, Lebanon's Naharnet news website reported.

Cousseran, former French ambassador to Damascus, made the denial in a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora after his

arrival earlier in the day to prepare for French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's visit due on Saturday to boost inter-Lebanese dialogue.

Cousseran was quoted by Naharnet as saying that his recent visit to Syria was not to negotiate with President Bashar Assad's regime, but to inform Damascus of the result of inter-Lebanese dialogue in Paris.

"I visited Syria to inform the authorities there of the talks and discussions held in France" some two weeks ago, he said, stressing that "I did not undergo any negotiations in Syria. I did not go there to negotiate."

Diplomatic sources said that during his stay in Lebanon, Cousseran will brief Lebanese officials on outcome of his recent talks in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Iran on efforts to resolve the Lebanese crisis.

During the missions, he had urged leaders of these countries to help promoting the inter-Lebanese dialogue and national reconciliation, according to the sources.

Earlier this month, France hosted a conference for conciliation among the warring Lebanese parties in a bid to rebuild confidence and resume dialogue.

The Lebanese political arena has been split with the opposition holding an ongoing sit-in in downtown Beirut and campaigning for formation of a new government.

 Xinhu