France supports US-Russia Syria arms deal

French President Francois Hollande welcomes the US-Russia Syria arms deal but said military option remains

13:10 16 September 2013

Following the successful talks between US and Russia about Syria’s chemical weapon, French President Francois Hollande has said that the deal was an “important step” towards finding the best way to end the civil war in the country. However, he reiterated in a TV address that military option still remains. 

 

"It is necessary to include the threat of sanctions if the agreement and the aims of the Security Council resolution aren't carried out,'' he said.

 

"But the next step has to be finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis." 

 

Mr Hollande, his Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Mr Kerry, and British Foreign Secretary William Hague will meet on Monday for the drafting of the resolution. 

 

Mr Hollande shares the same view with US President Barack Obama who said that should Syria fail to comply with the agreement, force shall be used. 

 

Meanwhile, it seems that everybody is happy with the deal. Syrian Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar told Russian news agency Ria Novosti, that they “welcome the agreement.” He said that the deal was a victory for Syria and he thanked their Russian friends for their support.