Damascus: French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus today as part of a Mid-east tour trying to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

He was expected to hold immediate talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to an AFP journalist with the French leader.

Israel launched a massive air offensive on the Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip on December 27, and followed this with a ground invasion Saturday night. The onslaught has resulted in the deaths of at least 580 Palestinians, including nearly 100 children, according to medics in the territory.

The French president, who handed over the rotating presidency of the European Union to the Czech Republic earlier this month, began his trip yesterday, holding talks with leaders in Egypt, Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the base of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

A separate EU delegation is also visiting the region to seek a ceasefire. Israel has rebuffed all calls to halt its offensive, receiving strong backing from the United States.

Sarkozy is due to visit Lebanon on the last step of his mission.
Source : PTI