France Ready to 'Punish' Syria, Boost Support to Opposition

French President Francois Hollande said Tuesday France would increase military support to Syria's main opposition body, just days after an alleged deadly chemical attack in the Damascus suburbs.

Published

11 months ago

Categories

World

Topics

Europe, Middle East & North Africa, Human Rights, International Relations, Military

People

Francois Hollande, Bashar al-Assad, Francois Bozize, Michel Djotodia

Places

Syria, France, Paris, Damascus

Transcript

SHOTLIST: PARIS, AUGUST 27, 2013 SOURCE: POOL NO ACCESS TV FRANCE NO RESALE SOUNDBITE 1, Fran��ois Hollande, French President (French, 24 sec): "As I speak to you now, the world is gripped with horror at the confirmation that chemical weapons were used in Syria. All evidence suggests that it was the regime that committed this abject act." SOUNDBITE 2, Fran��ois Hollande, French President (French, 23 sec): "I say to you now, with all necessary force: the chemical massacre of Damascus cannot stand without reply, and France is ready to punish those who took the infamous decision to gas innocent people." SOUNDBITE 3 Francois Hollande (man), French President (French, 10 sec): "I've decided to increase our military support to the Syrian national coalition based on our European agreements." -MS of Hollande arriving to briefing /// ----------------------------------------------- AFP TEXT STORY: France-CentrAfrica-unrest-UN-AU France calls on UN, AU to act on C.Africa crisis PARIS, Aug 27, 2013 (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday called on the United Nations and African Union to "take charge of the situation" in the violence-wracked Central African Republic. The former French colony has been beset by reports of widespread rape, recruitment of child soldiers, weapons proliferation, huge population displacement and severe malnutrition since a coup in March. "I call on the African Union and the (UN) Security Council to take charge of this situation," Hollande said in a televised speech. An African peacekeeping force has begun deploying in Bangui, but no peacekeepers in the force that will eventually number 2,500 soldiers and 1,000 police officers are stationed outside of the capital. Speaking at the launch of an annual gathering of ambassadors from around the world, Hollande said it was "more than time to act." The impoverished African country has been mired in a climate of insecurity since the presidency of Francois Bozize was toppled on March 24 by the Seleka rebel coalition. Former rebel leader Michel Djotodia was sworn in as the new president earlier this month, tasked with restoring security and steering the nation through a transition period leading to fresh elections within 18 months. But former rebel fighters are still accused of assaulting and terrorising civilians. Hollande said Central Africa was going down the road of Somalia, with 60,000 children at risk of dying of malnutrition, and 1.5 million people displaced out of a population of just over 5 million. cr-ha/thm/mbx/boc ---------- Syria-conflict-France-diplomacy,2ndlead France says 'ready to punish' Syria for alleged gas attacks =(PICTURE+VIDEO)= ATTENTION - ADDS quotes, opposition reaction /// PARIS, Aug 27, 2013 (AFP) - President Francois Hollande said Tuesday that France was "ready to punish" those behind last week's alleged deadly chemical weapons attacks in Syria, stressing that the conflict threatened "world peace". Tensions have ratcheted up dramatically in recent days as Western and Arab nations increasingly call for action in the wake of the suspected gas attacks on August 21 in the Damascus suburbs, which Syria's opposition says killed more than 1,300 people. "France is ready to punish those who took the vile decision to gas innocent people," Hollande said in a televised speech, pointing the finger of blame at President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The Syrian regime has angrily denied being behind the alleged chemical weapons strikes, and has defiantly vowed to defend itself against any outside intervention with measures that would "surprise" the world. "Our responsibility today is to look for the most appropriate response to the exactions of the regime," Hollande said, adding that the "chemical massacre in Damascus cannot be left without a response." "This civil war today threatens world peace," he said, adding that it had affected neighbouring countries such as Lebanon and Iraq, wracked by bloody violence and attacks, and an influx of refugees in Turkey and Jordan. He referred to a 2005 United Nations resolution on the "responsibility to protect civilians" and said France would increase military support to the main Syrian opposition body. "I have decided to increase our military support to the Syrian National Coalition (SNC)," Hollande said without elaborating. The French leader also said a decision about military intervention in Syria would be taken "in the coming days." "There are times when this responsibility is heavy: whether to involve France or not, react or not... intervene or stand back, once more this question returns or will return in the coming days," he said. Syria's opposition said Tuesday that it expects a Western military intervention within days and has been consulted over potential targets. "There is no precise timing ... but one can speak of an imminent international intervention against the regime. It's a question of days and not weeks," said Ahmad Ramadan, an SNC political committee member. "There have been meetings between the Coalition, the (rebel) Free Syrian Army and allied countries during which possible targets have been discussed," the official said. A potential coalition of countries that would launch strikes on Syria is likely to include the United States, France, Britain and other countries such as Turkey. cr-ha/ach/mbx/boc