Damascus  - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that "peace in the Middle East passes through France and Syria" and that his visit to Syria sent a friendship message to the Syrian people.

"Syria can present a significant help in solving issues in the Middle East," Sarkozy told the Syrian al-Watan daily Tuesday, on the eve of a high-profile visit to Damascus.

"It is important that Syria would play a positive role in the regions," added the French president in the interview to be published Wednesday. An advance copy of the interview was acquired by Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Sarkozy is currently president of the European Union, but the visit appeared to be bilateral in nature.

Sarkozy's visit aims at strengthening bilateral relations, which were frozen after the murder of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri in February 2005. Damascus was accused of being behind al- Hariri's murder, but Syria has denied the charge.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad paid a visit to Paris last July where he said his country was ready to have diplomatic relations with Lebanon. In August, Lebanon and Syria agreed to establish diplomatic relations during a visit by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman to Damascus.

"Our countries open a new chapter in their relations," Sarkozy said, describing the new chapter as 'precious.'

"Our friendship is a priceless fortune that should be preserved at any cost," he told the semi official newspaper.

Sarkozy will join a four-way summit on Middle East peace on Thursday with al-Assad and regional mediators Turkey and Qatar.

Qatar brokered a deal last May to resolve Lebanon's political crisis, while Turkey has been mediating since May in indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel.

"The indirect talks between Syria and Israel are an excellent thing for the two countries, the region and the entire world," Sarkozy was quoted as saying.

"It's not easy to achieve peace because it requires a lot of effort and strong will. I would like to hail the courage of the Syrian and Israeli leaders, and hail Turkey's significant role," the French leader said. (dpa)