The President of France, Jacques Chirac, delivered a secret message to Israel at the beginning of the second Lebanon war, which suggested that Israel hit Damascus and bring down the regime of Bashar Assad.  In return, Chirac pledged full French support for the war.  Chirac was convinced that Syria was primarily responsible for the flair up in the north, while former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had faulted Iran as the main force in strengthening Hizbullah's armament in Lebanon.  Four months prior to the war, Chirac had already begun to warn Syria that the international community would not tolerate any attempt on Syria's side to destabilize Lebanon.  However, France backed down during the war due to concern that its strained relations with Syria might put French soldiers in danger of attack, primarily from Hizbullah.

Steve Thompson