Syria bloc France envoy plan
Source: Agencies |
November 18, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
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FRENCH President Francois Hollande and the new Syrian opposition leader announced plans yesterday to install an ambassador to represent Syria in France.
The surprise move came after talks at France's presidential palace between Hollande and Moaz al-Khatib, head of the Syrian opposition coalition. France recognized the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces days after it was formed last Sunday - to date the only Western country to do so.
Hollande also confirmed that French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who was at yesterday's talk, will raise the issue of lifting the EU arms embargo against Syria at a meeting tomorrow in Brussels of European Union foreign ministers.
Fabius has suggested supplying defensive weapons so Syrian rebels can protect themselves from attacks by the Syrian regime of President Bashar Assad.
More than 36,000 people have been killed since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011.
Since May 2011, the EU has imposed a ban on the export of weapons and equipment to Syria that could be used for "internal repression."
Fabius will press EU partners to recognize the coalition, Hollande said.
"We have no hidden agenda," al-Khatib said in a bid to reassure other nations.
The surprise move came after talks at France's presidential palace between Hollande and Moaz al-Khatib, head of the Syrian opposition coalition. France recognized the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces days after it was formed last Sunday - to date the only Western country to do so.
Hollande also confirmed that French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who was at yesterday's talk, will raise the issue of lifting the EU arms embargo against Syria at a meeting tomorrow in Brussels of European Union foreign ministers.
Fabius has suggested supplying defensive weapons so Syrian rebels can protect themselves from attacks by the Syrian regime of President Bashar Assad.
More than 36,000 people have been killed since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011.
Since May 2011, the EU has imposed a ban on the export of weapons and equipment to Syria that could be used for "internal repression."
Fabius will press EU partners to recognize the coalition, Hollande said.
"We have no hidden agenda," al-Khatib said in a bid to reassure other nations.
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