October 19, 2002	Saturday	Sha'aban 12, 1423

PARIS, Oct 18: With the opening on Friday in Beirut of the Ninth Summit of Francophone countries, French President Jacques Chirac has decided to use the event — which this year will be attended by a record number of participants from some 60 countries — to put forth a joint front against a possible US attack on Iraq.

The conference gains its importance as it is being held in an Arab country.