DAMASCUS - FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy said on the eve of a high-profile visit to Damascus that peace in the Middle East 'passes through' Syria and France, according to an interview to be published on Wednesday.

'As I told (Syrian) President Bashar al-Assad when he came to Paris on July 12, the path of peace in this region passes through our countries,' Mr Sarkozy told Syria's al-Watan daily, which is close to government circles.

'Syria can provide an irreplaceable contribution to solving Middle East issues. It is important that Syria plays a positive role in the region,' he said in the interview, an advance copy of which was sent to AFP.

Mr Sarkozy's visit to Syria on Wednesday and Thursday seeks draw the Middle Eastern country further out of international isolation.

It also marks the latest step towards normalising relations that were frozen after the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former premier Rafiq Hariri, a close friend of Mr Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac.

'Our countries open a new chapter in their relations, a new chapter that is precious and dear to my heart,' Mr Sarkozy said, describing his trip as a 'message of friendship' to the Syrian people.

'Our friendship is a priceless fortune that should be preserved at any cost.' The first visit by a Western head of state in five years, it is seen at home as a diplomatic victory for Mr Assad, six weeks after he made a comeback on the world stage with a high-profile trip to Paris.

Mr Sarkozy, who will be accompanied by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, will meet and dine with Mr Assad on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday Mr Sarkozy, whose country holds the European Union presidency, will join a four-way summit on Middle East peace with Mr Assad and regional mediators Turkey and Qatar, according to a Turkish government spokesman.

Ankara has been mediating since May in indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel.

'The indirect talks between Syria and Israel is an excellent thing for the two countries, the region and the entire world,' Mr Sarkozy said.

'It's not easy to achieve peace because it requires a lot of effort and determination. I would like to hail the courage of the Syrian and Israeli leaders.' -- AFP