Beirut, Oct 18: French-speaking nations opened their first summit on Arab soil here today, with leaders seeking to distance themselves from the U.S. Line on Iraq by pressing for dialogue, not war. Representatives from the 55 governments of La Francophonie, the loose confederation of former French colonies and regions where French is spoken, met under heavy security provided by 8,000 police and soldiers - deployed on foot, armored car and helicopter.
The three-day conference is expected to focus on culture, the group's primary concern, as well as terrorism, the middle east conflict and the threat of war against Iraq.
French president Jacques Chirac used his opening speech to argue that the use of force in Iraq must be a last resort.
"In Beirut, let's reaffirm a fundamental creed: in the modern world, the use of force can only be an exceptional and final recourse," Chirac said. "It can only be allowed in case of legitimate defense or after a decision by the competent international bodies."
"Whether it is a matter of making Iraq respect its obligations, or reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace, or resolving the conflicts in Africa, we must follow the same moral logic because that is the only solid guarantee against adventurous temptations," chirac added.
France and several Arab states attending the meeting differ with the US and Britain over how to deal with Iraq.
France has argued for a separate security council resolution authorizing force if Iraq obstructs inspectors.
Bureau Report