French president Emmanuel Macron said that he would not hesitate to strike Syrian forces if proofs of use of chemical weapons emerge as it is a red line for the French. However, he added that the French intelligence agencies do not possess such proof.
Speaking to reporters in Paris, Macron said, “On chemical weapons, I set a red line and I reaffirm that red line…….Today, our agencies, our armed forces have not established that chemical weapons, as set out in treaties, have been used against the civilian population.” He added that is such proof is found, France will strike the places from where the shipments of chemical weapons are originating. The comments came amid unverified reports that pro-government forces have used chlorine on civilians and rebels to gain control of areas.
President Macron added that he has talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin last Friday and talked on this as Russia has been the main ally of Assad regime in Syria, “I've reiterated it to President Putin, asking to make it very clear to the Syrian regime, which has reaffirmed that it does not use chemical weapons … but we are watching it”.
While the French foreign Minister pointed fingers at the Syrian government, stating last week that all indications show that chlorine is used by the regime in Syria, the defense minister was not so sure, who said, “We have some indications of possible chlorine use [in Syria], but we have no absolute confirmation……So we, alongside the others, are working on trying to confirm this, as we clearly have to get the facts straight.”
