France’s foreign minister says the “moderate” opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government is facing “serious difficulty,” and that he’s “pessimistic” about Syria’s future.
Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he has “doubts” about whether United Nations-backed peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition will make progress.
The government and opposition, along with regional states and world powers, are scheduled to gather for talks in Switzerland in the last week of January.
France has been one of the leading backers of the Syrian opposition and has recognized the opposition Syrian National Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people.
However, moderate opposition forces favored by Western states have been facing challenges from both government troops and Islamist fighters who are also seeking to overthrow the government.
Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he has “doubts” about whether United Nations-backed peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition will make progress.
The government and opposition, along with regional states and world powers, are scheduled to gather for talks in Switzerland in the last week of January.
France has been one of the leading backers of the Syrian opposition and has recognized the opposition Syrian National Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people.
However, moderate opposition forces favored by Western states have been facing challenges from both government troops and Islamist fighters who are also seeking to overthrow the government.