FRANCE claimed a share of the credit for the ceasefire between Israel and the Hizbullah, apparently concerned the US was getting all the glory.
President Jacques Chirac welcomed the truce, saying: "France shouldered with determination the obligations which its friendships in the region impose. The proposals it submitted to the parties very early on made progress.
"We welcome this, as we welcome the efforts achieved by the United States and by governments concerned in the region," he said in a statement.
French officials said the cease fire was based on many ideas proposed by the French Foreign Minister, Mr Herve de Charette.
Mr de Charette seemed to be sidelined when the US Secretary of State, Mr Warren Christopher, arrived in the region a week ago and Israel made clear it preferred US mediation.
Mr Christopher was in Jerusalem alongside the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Shimon Peres yesterday to announce the ceasefire. Mr de Charette sat alongside the Lebanese Prime Minister, Mr Rafik al Hariri, as the premier announced the ceasefire simultaneously in Beirut.
"France has played its role".
We are pleased to note that the essence of the proposals we made on April 17th are in the final arrangement", Mr de Charette said.
In Damascus, Syria said that the ceasefire was not a substitute for peace in the Middle East.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the agreement preserved the right of the resistance in south Lebanon to confront Israeli troops occupying the border zone.
He said that talks between Syrian President, Mr Hafez al Assad, and Mr Christopher, over seven days helped "reach an agreement to put an end to Israeli aggressions against Lebanon".
. The Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Mr Zvi Gabay, said he was "extremely pleased" at news of the ceasefire, and he hoped the spirit of the agreement would lead to talks with Lebanon and Syria on a lasting settlement, writes Frank McNally.
Israel had not started the war in Lebanon, he added. "We were retaliating against the firing of Katyusha rockets into Israel. We wanted to stop these attacks and this has been achieved."
He now looked forward to his government pressing ahead with the peace process with the Palestinians, he said.