Saudi 'concern': Is Sarkozy also helping Iran?

Al Sharq al Awsat, here

"....France itself is part of the crisis so how can it put forward a political initiative? Where is the credibility and flexibility that France requires whilst its soldiers fight the Taliban? From another angle, what is Paris attempting to do by bringing Iran, Pakistan and the Taliban together at the same table?

.....this could also be considered the legitimization of Iranian expansion in our region and the approval of the logic of Tehran, which previously stated that the keys to Iraq, Gaza, Lebanon and Afghanistan are in its hands. To invite Iran to the discussion table regarding Afghanistan is to legitimize Iranian expansion in our region. If France does so, it would be reminiscent of the time when France created a window of opportunity for the Syrians who do not even have any grounds to stand on within the international community; in fact, we have already seen the Syrian forces mass on its borders with Lebanon

Dialogue with Iran is not the troubling issue here; rather it is French hastiness that causes concern..."