Fabius, Mikati discuss impact of Syrian crisis

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius spoke late Monday with Lebanese Premier Najib Mikati to discuss the Syrian crisis and the impact this was having inside Lebanon, the Foreign Ministry said here Tuesday. Fabius thanked Mikati for his solidarity and welcome to Syrian refugees who are fleeing the fighting in their country and who are still streaming across the border, putting a strain on Lebanon's fragile infrastructure. Fabius assured Mikati that France was at Lebanon's side "to preserve stability" and support the policies of President Michel Sleiman in keeping his distance from the Syrian conflict. With this in mind, the French Foreign Minister renewed his government's commitments to Lebanese independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The phone call came shortly after press reported cited bombings of the Ersal region of Lebanon by Syrian aircraft, an increase in pressure if the reports were fully confirmed.