LOC22:59
19:59 GMT
PARIS, Dec 18 (KUNA) -- The French government on Tuesday expressed
continued support for UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, who is
expected shortly in Damascus.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot said to reporters that France
has always been fully behind the efforts of the special envoy and was in
"close contact" with him.
"We obviously support anything that can help the political transition in
Syria and end the violence," Lalliot said.
He said Brahimi must later report to the divided UN Security Council, where
Russia and China have vetoed on three occasions tough resolutions against the
Syrian Regime.
Lalliot remarked that Brahimi now had more weight of argument in Damascus
as there was "a credible alternative to the regime of Bashar Al-Assad," in the
form of the Syrian National Coalition, which has notably made efforts to unite
the political and military opposition to Damascus.
Separately, Lalliot said France had noted signs that the regime of Bashar
Al-Assad was "losing its grip" in view of statements from parts of its
leadership which expressed doubts about the sustainability and possibility of
victory in the conflict.
"There are signs in the Syrian State apparatus that the regime is shaken
and a certain number of leaders are starting to be aware of the gravity of the
situation," the French official added.
But he also indicated that this was not stopping violence by Syrian
military forces linked with the regime, including attacks against peaceful
protesters.
Lalliot affirmed that the fighting near Damascus and the loss of strategic
positions by Syrian government forces and their allies were further evidence
that the tide was turning in Syria. (end)
jk.mt
KUNA 182259 Dec 12NNNN