Syrian President Bashar Assad has said there would be no need for weapons when a broad Middle East peace deal is reached, adding that there were plans for him to meet his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman in Paris.

Assad, in an interview with Le Figaro daily on Monday, also said that Damascus has always recognized Lebanon's independence.

"In 2005 I proposed to Lebanese officials the exchange of embassies between the two countries. We are awaiting the formation of a national unity cabinet in Lebanon to discuss the issue," Assad told the newspaper.

He said preparations were underway to set up a meeting with Suleiman on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Union summit in Paris July 13.

"I have known President Suleiman for 15 years…we have good relations," Assad said.

Some 40 leaders will launch the union in Paris, France's prized initiative during its European Union presidency which began July 1.

Asked about the issue of Hizbullah's arms, Assad said: "When true peace is (reached) in Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories, there would be no need to carry weapons."

On the international tribunal that would try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassins, Assad said that his country backed ongoing investigations into the killing and that Damascus was cooperating with the commission probing the Feb. 2005 murder.

Assad also told Le Figaro that he is counting on the next American president to help support efforts to negotiate peace between his country and Israel.

He called his planned visit this weekend to Paris "historic" because "it opens a large door (for Syria) to the international scene."

Assad would not commit to meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during the visit — but did not rule it out.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said any meeting between the two leaders would mark "formidable progress" in Israel-Syria relations.

Syria and Israel have long been enemies but recently renewed indirect contacts through Turkish mediators.

"The two sides are testing their intentions," Assad told Le Figaro. "We must find a common base to start direct negotiations. As soon as this base is ready, we can engage in direct negotiations with Israel."

Assad stressed the need for international backing for talks. "Of course, the role of the United States is essential, but that of Europe is complementary, and when we talk of the political role of Europe, France is in the avant-garde," he was quoted as saying.

He said he was waiting for the new U.S. administration to take office. He charged that President George Bush has "neither the will nor the vision" to move peace forward and said the U.S. leader's time is running out.

"We are counting on the next American president and his administration," Assad said.

He also backed Iran in its stand-off with major powers over its nuclear ambitions, saying he did not think Tehran wanted to build an atomic bomb.(Naharnet-AP)