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French visit to Damascus opens new channels for diplomacy

Recent developments, including a visit by French politicians and the possible replacement of the French ambassador in Lebanon by Emannuel Bonne, who participated in the Syrian-French negotiations, indicate a probable shift in the French position.
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) meets United Nations Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura, in Damascus February 11, 2015, in this picture released by Syria's national news agency SANA. REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT CIVIL UNREST) 
ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
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A French political delegation has visited Damascus in a trip that carries multiple implications.

Between UN envoy Staffan de Mistura's statements two weeks ago that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is part of the solution in Syria and de Mistura’s return to the Syrian capital on Feb. 26, four French parliamentarians and other Parisian officials traveled to Damascus via Beirut. This is the first time a French official has visited Syria since the French Embassy in Damascus was closed in 2012.

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