The World - News from Aug. 29, 1989

France presented its peace plan for Lebanon to Syrian leaders, but diplomats in Damascus said it is likely to get a cool reception. Francois Scheer, director general of the French Foreign Ministry, held talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Shareh on the plan, which envisions the eventual withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. Syria, which has 40,000 troops in Lebanon, was angered by France’s decision to send warships into the eastern Mediterranean, even though Paris insisted that the flotilla was there to evacuate French citizens from Lebanon should the need arise. Damascus, however, sees the move as support for Lebanon’s Christian leader, Maj. Gen. Michel Aoun.