France calls Syrian president's promises 'manipulation'
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's promises to Russia to implement reforms and end an 11-month crackdown against protesters are a "manipulation" that France does not believe, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Wednesday.
"It is a manipulation and we are not going to fall for it," Juppe told France Info radio when asked if he believed Assad was being sincere. "It's not the first time someone has gone to meet Bashar and been given guarantees." (Reuters)
