Assad, 'Israel lacks will for peace'
Photo: AP
Assad: Force Israel to commit to peace
In meeting with French prime minister, Syrian president says Europe must take up active role in regional talks, stresses peace process must be based on international resolutions
In a meeting with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Friday Syrian President Bashar Assad said peace requires will – something that Israel is lacking. The president stressed that European countries should take up an active role in the region and force Israel to commit to a peaceful path.
He also reiterated the need for Turkish mediation in peace talks and stressed the importance of France's support in the matter.
Syrian news agency SANA reported that the two discussed regional affairs in their Damascus meeting, which included the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Assad stressed that the peace process must be based on international resolutions. Though he did not specify, it is likely the president was referring to UN resolutions 242 and 338.
The French prime minister expressed his country's desire to improve ties between Paris and Damascus, as well as between Syria and the European Union. He added that coordination between France and Syria should continue, as said this would help find solutions to the region's problems.
The two also discussed signing an economic cooperation treaty.
Earlier this week Assad met with US Under Secretary of State William Burns in Damascus. The White House announced that the meeting was meant to boost dialogue and "all aspects" of Washington-Damascus relations, which have been strained amidst Syria's ties with Iran and the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
This month also saw the Syrian president speak with a more assertive tone against Israel. In a meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri earlier this month, Assad stressed that his country would stand by Lebanon "in the event of an Israeli attack it could find itself up against."
The official Syrian news agency SANA reported that the two discussed "Israel's repeated threats against the region's countries and Israel's extremism which threatens to foil chances of peace, by igniting the region with wars and leading it into the unknown."
