PARIS, JULY 26, SPA -- FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC SAID WEDNESDAY THAT NATO SHOULD NOT LEAD A PROPOSEDINTERNATIONAL FORCE IN LEBANON, SAYING THE ALLIANCE IS SEEN IN THE REGION AS «THE ARMED WING OF THE WEST.» «AS FAR AS FRANCE IS CONCERNED, IT IS NOT NATO’S MISSIONTO PUT TOGETHER SUCH A FORCE,» CHIRAC TOLD THE DAILYNEWSPAPER LE MONDE. «WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, NATO ISPERCEIVED AS THE ARMED WING OF THE WEST IN THESE REGIONS, AND AS A RESULT, IN TERMS OF IMAGE, NATO IS NOT INTENDED FOR THIS.» --SPA 26/07/2006 13:19 ت م www.spa.gov.sa/378335