Al-Mashat, EBRD President discuss Egypt-EU investment conference, private sector support    Seventh shipment of Pakistani aid arrives in Egypt for Gaza    Egypt receives $14bn second tranche of UAE's Ras El-Hekma deal    Biden offers to debate Trump under new terms, bypassing debate commission    Central Asian economies to grow by 5.4% in '24 – EBRD    Turkey's economy to see 3.0% growth in '25 – EBRD    S. Arabia's inflation edges up to 1.6% in April – GASTAT    US, EU split on strategy for Russia's frozen assets    NCW initiates second phase of Women's Economic Empowerment in Fayoum for financial autonomy    Empower Her Art Forum 2024: Bridging creative minds at National Museum of Egyptian Civilization    Niger restricts Benin's cargo transport through togo amidst tensions    Malian MP warns of Western pressure after dialogue recommends extending transition    Egypt's museums open doors for free to celebrate International Museum Day    Egypt and AstraZeneca discuss cooperation in supporting skills of medical teams, vaccination programs    TSMC to begin construction of European chip factory in Q4 '24    Biden harshly hikes tariffs on Chinese imports to protect US businesses    Madinaty Open Air Mall Welcomes Boom Room: Egypt's First Social Entertainment Hub    Egypt, Greece collaborate on healthcare development, medical tourism    Egyptian consortium nears completion of Tanzania's Julius Nyerere hydropower project    Al-Sisi inaugurates restored Sayyida Zainab Mosque, reveals plan to develop historic mosques    Sweilam highlights Egypt's water needs, cooperation efforts during Baghdad Conference    AstraZeneca injects $50m in Egypt over four years    Egypt, AstraZeneca sign liver cancer MoU    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Hours after tourist killed, France says does not rule out Syria strikes
Published in Ahram Online on 25 - 09 - 2014

France said on Thursday it did not rule out joining U.S.-led air strikes 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. On Thursday 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 al-Assad's forces could fill, making it difficult for rebels to counter the more organised 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 Paris' resolve.
"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 air strikes on Syria were a possibility in the future, Le Drian said: "The question is on the table".
After a war cabinet meeting on Thursday, 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 U.N. 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."
U.S. and coalition planes pounded Islamic State positions in Syria on Wednesday, but the strikes did not halt the fighters' advance in a Kurdish area where fleeing refugees told of villages burnt and captives beheaded.
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 U.S, and Arab strikes in Syria on Monday, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Paris no longer saw any legal barrier to Syrian air strikes.
Speaking on France Info radio on Thursday, 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."
Gourdel's killing appeared to unite politicians, religious leaders and the public on Thursday with calls for greater action against Islamic State, which has specifically urged its followers to attack French citizens.
That has prompted Paris to warn embassies across the Middle East and Africa of an increased threat. The presidency said on Thursday new preventive measures against the risk of terrorism would be taken at public venues and on transport
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.
The Muslim Council in France called for a rally on Friday at the Paris Grand Mosque against Islamic State.
"The terrorists want to scare us," Fabius said. "They are practicing a bloody blackmail which we can't give into. We will not surrender to it."
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/111679.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.