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France says it does not rule out Syria strikes after tourist killed
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FRANCE said yesterday it did not rule out joining US-led airstrikes on Syria, just hours after an Algerian Islamist group beheaded a French tourist in retaliation for French military action against Islamic State militants in Iraq.
France has repeatedly said it would not take part in air action in Syria where Islamic State has its power base.
Yesterday, it struck its first targets in almost a week since joining the United States in raids against militants in Iraq.
Paris fears that strikes against Islamic State in Syria would leave a void that only Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces could fill, making it difficult for rebels to counter the more organized Syrian army.
But the killing of Herve Gourdel, who was beheaded in Algeria hours after an ultimatum was given to France to end its Iraqi mission, appeared to toughen the resolve of Paris.
“The opportunity is not there today. We have an important task in Iraq. We will see in the coming days how the situation evolves,” Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told RTL radio.
Pressed further on whether airstrikes on Syria were a possibility in the future, Le Drian said: “The question is on the table.”
After a war cabinet meeting yesterday, the French presidency said it was ready to do more to fight Islamic State.
“France is ready to support all states that ask for it so that necessary measures can be put in place quickly,” it said.
President Francois Hollande, who has previously sanctioned weapons deliveries to rebels, on Wednesday met the president of the Syrian National Coalition at the UN General Assembly.
He said the rebels were the only legitimate representative of the Syrian people, dismissing Assad once again.
“Daesh (Islamic State) is continuing its acts of terror in Iraq. In Syria, tens of thousands of people have had to flee a new offensive,” the presidency statement said.
“In the framework of the coalition, France will continue to support Iraqi authorities ... it will also reinforce support to the Syrian opposition currently fighting the jihadi groups.”
US and coalition planes pounded Islamic State positions in Syria on Wednesday, but the strikes did not halt the fighters’ advance in a Kurdish area.
Until recently, French officials have said the question of striking Syria was hypothetical given they had not been asked to do so by coalition partners, and that its efforts would centre on providing weapons and training to Syrian rebels.
However, this week there has been a slight shift in the French position. Ahead of the start of US, and Arab strikes in Syria on Monday, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Paris no longer saw any legal barrier to Syrian airstrikes.
Speaking on France Info radio yesterday, Fabius said the question of action in Syria should weigh the two enemies there.
“Strikes have to be carried out, which the Americans are doing, but we need to denounce Assad who remains a dictator.”
To commemorate Gourdel, the government said flags would be kept at half-mast for three days. Minutes of silence and vigils were held across the country.
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