France Denounces 'Masquerade' of New Syria PM Appointment
France on Wednesday denounced President Bashar al-Assad's appointment of a new prime minister as a "masquerade" that does not meet the demands of the Syrian people or the international community.
"Bashar al-Assad remains stubbornly deaf to the demands of his people" and the move "does not meet the expectations of the Syrian people or the international community," foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said.
"It is urgent that the regime stop massacring its people and commit to applying Kofi Annan's peace plan," Valero told a press conference, in reference to the joint United Nations-Arab League envoy for Syria.
Assad appointed agriculture minister Riad Hijab as premier on Wednesday, after Syria's new parliament was elected on May 7 in a vote boycotted by opposition groups and dismissed by Washington as a "farce".
Valero did not answer questions about France's position on the possible creation of new contact group on Syria, which several media have reported as a step being proposed by Annan.
"The joint United Nations-Arab League special envoy will clarify his recommendations (to) put an end to the violence," during meetings at the U.N. on Thursday, Valero said.
Newspaper Le Monde has reported that Annan is seeking the creation of a contact group bringing together countries to resolve the Syria conflict, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, the five permanent members of the Security Council, the U.N. the Arab League and possibly the European Union.
Unlike the current "Friends of Syria" grouping, the contact group would bring to the table Russia and China, who have opposed Security Council moves to put more pressure on Assad.
Source: Agence France Presse
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