PARIS (AFP) — Lebanese President Michel Sleiman kicked off a three-day state visit to France Monday, holding talks with President Nicolas Sarkozy who pledged his full support for the reconciliation process in Lebanon.

France rolled out the red carpet for the Lebanese leader, who was escorted across the River Seine to the official guest residence of the Elysee Palace by mounted republican guards.

Sleiman, whose visit comes as Lebanon prepares to open its first ever embassy in former powerbroker Syria and gears up for legislative elections in June, met with Sarkozy for almost an hour ahead of a banquet dinner.

“This visit shows Lebanon’s value in France’s eyes, and the French president’s support for the Lebanese government and people,” Sleiman told reporters after their talks.

“France has always supported and promoted the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon.”

Sleiman’s visit was expected to focus on the diplomatic with Damascus, which was spurred by former colonial power France.

The Lebanese leader said there was a “total convergence of views” between Paris and Beirut on Lebanese relations with Syria, and the wider Middle East peace process.

Sarkozy assured Sleiman of “France’s full support for efforts to consolidate the independence and unity of Lebanon,” the French presidency said.

Lebanon’s June 7 elections vote will be the first since the Western-backed parliamentary majority and the Syria- and Iran-backed opposition reached a deal in May 2008, ending a crisis that brought Lebanon to the brink of civil war.

A Lebanese government official told AFP the visit would also focus on French military and economic assistance to Lebanon.

France has 1,900 troops serving as part of a UN force in south Lebanon, although it announced in January plans to withdraw two warships monitoring waters off the Lebanese coast.

On Tuesday Sleiman was due to hold talks with Prime Minister Francois Fillon and visit both houses of parliament, before returning to Lebanon Wednesday.