Summary
Lebanon Thursday paid its respects to late French President Jacques Chirac, calling him a "dear friend" who stood by the country's side in difficult times.
Chirac, who died Thursday at age 86, led France between 1995 and 2007 and was heavily involved in international efforts to raise funds for Lebanon following the 1975-90 Civil War.
Chirac spearheaded the February 2001 conference for Lebanon's economic development, known as Paris I, which raised some 500 million euros (then around $470 million) in international aid.
Chirac, alongside former U.S. President George W. Bush, was a strong backer of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, which called for Syrian forces to withdraw from Lebanon.
Joumblatt also praised Chirac for his work in establishing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to investigate the murder of Rafik Hariri.
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