French President Francois Hollande call international coalition for military actions against Syria

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Defence & Security News - France
 
 
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 03:55 PM
 
French President Francois Hollande call for international coalition for military actions against Syria.
French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, that an international coalition should be formed with the United States in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. France would not act alone, Hollande stressed at a joint press conference with German President Joachim Gauck.
     
French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, that an international coalition should be formed with the United States in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. France would not act alone, Hollande stressed at a joint press conference with German President Joachim Gauck.
French President Francois Hollande (C, R) holds a joint press conference with visiting German President Joachim Gauck (C, L) in Paris, France, Sept. 3, 2013. French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday that an international coalition should be formed with the United States in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria
     

"A broad coalition should be formed at the international level with the United States, Europe and the Arab countries," he said.

The French president also reaffirmed his determination to punish the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

However, Hollande said France will wait for U.S. Congress' decision. "If the decision was not positive, France can not act alone but it will assume its responsibilities in supporting the opposition in order that a solution will be found," he said.

He announced at the press briefing that European leaders will meet in the coming days in the sidelines of G20 gathering to seek the appropriate alternative to end Syrian unrest.

A BVA poll on Saturday showed most French people do not approve of military action against Syria and most do not trust Hollande to conduct it.

"I'll address French people when I'll have all the elements (of chemical attack) ... and I'll exercise my responsibility in the interest of France," Hollande told reporters.

According to media reports, a French intelligence report presented to lawmakers on Monday showed forces loyal to Assad were behind the alleged chemical attack in Damascus on Aug. 21.

But the Syrian president denied the allegations and said in an interview with French daily Le Figaro on Monday that France will face negative repercussions if Paris and its allies launch a military intervention against his country.

Hollande said France will take "all measures" in response to threats against France by al-Assad in Le Figaro.