DHAKA: There is ‘no political solution in Syria’ with the presence of president Bashar al-Assad.

French president Francois Hollande told pan-Arab al-Hayat newspaper, reports Al Arabiya.

‘Assad is not fighting Islamists, he is placing blame on armed Islamist extremists to pressure the moderate opposition,’ Hollande told the newspaper in an interview published Sunday, after his arrival to Riyadh on a previously planned visit.

The European president hoped that Geneva 2 will allow for the foundation of ‘a real process of transition, to avoid dangers of an expanding chaos in Syria and the region’.

Speaking on neighbouring Lebanon, Hollande condemned Beirut’s Friday bombing which took the life of former finance minister Mohammad Chatah, whom he called ‘a man of dialogue and peace’, adding that France is ‘committed to Lebanon’s sovereignty, and is working relentlessly to help the country overcome security and political difficulties it faces in the context of the Syrian crisis’.

BDST: 1342 HRS, DEC 29, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor