PRESIDENT Francois Hollande has said a vote by UK MPs against involvement in military strikes on Syria has not changed France’s resolve to take firm action.
In an interview with Le Monde newspaper, Hollande said the UK vote made no difference to his support for action against the Syrian government.
He added that all options were being considered. He ruled out air strikes while the UN inspectors were in Syria.
However, he did not rule out the possibility that military action could be taken before next Wednesday, when the French parliament is due to debate the issue.
He said that if the UN Security Council was unable to act because two of its permanent members, Russia and China, were in opposition, a coalition would form including the Arab League and European countries.
Hollande added: ‘But there are few countries which can have the capacity of enforcing any sanction through the appropriate measures. France will be part of it. France is ready.’
His comments came after US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said Washington would continue to seek a coalition for possible military action.
However, Germany said it would not participate in military action.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told the Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung newspaper that ‘such participation has not been sought nor is it being considered’.
Russia welcomed the UK parliament’s vote, saying it reflected a growing public understanding of the dangers of an attack.
Meanwhile, UN inspectors investigating suspected chemical weapons attacks in Syria were seen leaving their hotel, apparently to visit a hospital in a government-controlled area of Damascus.
The experts were due to finish their work later yesterday and give their preliminary findings to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today.
