French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian
France aligns itself with the United States in the bid to find a political solution in Syria, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Wednesday.
"We have a common stance with the United States that there must be some reassuring measures to restore peace in Syria and to withdraw foreign forces, in order to introduce constitutional reforms allowing all Syrians, including asylum-seekers, to participate," Le Drian said in a speech as part of the 26th Ambassadors' Conference, which opened in Paris on Monday.
"I hope that this dialogue remains the basis for a broader platform, including with Russia and Turkey," he added.
"As for our relations with Russia, some of our partners view that country as an enemy, and they have reasons for this, but France is not seeking to isolate or weaken Russia. In return, we expect respect and cooperation," he said.
Russian and Turkish militaries are discussing "practical actions" against terrorists in Syria's Idlib, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.Speaking at a news conference in Moscow following his meeting with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir, Lavrov said the issue had been discussed a dozen of times between Moscow and Ankara over the last couple of months.Idlib was the main point in talks between Russian and Turkish ministers of foreign affairs and defense, and representatives of special forces several days ago in Moscow, he said.Russia's Lavrov says contacts with US on Syria's Idlib ongoing"The political understanding fully exists between Moscow and Ankara; it is urgent to separate normal armed opposition from the bandits of Al-Nusra Front and at the same time to prepare an operation against these terrorists, doing everything to minimize the risks to the civilian population," Lavrov said while referring to Idlib as "the last major hotbed of terrorists".Russian and Turkish militaries are talking to each other, he said."How to translate this political agreement into the language of practical actions -- it has been discussed by the militaries of Russia and Turkey, who handle the situation on the ground," he said.Active phase of Russia's SCO’s anti-terror drills startLavrov also said he expects the West to not obstruct the planned military operation against Al-Nusra Front in Idlib.Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said he had exchanged views with Lavrov on Idlib and the two ministers agreed on the necessity to fight terrorists in this region.Al-Jubeir added that Riyadh fully supports the political process in Syria. He recalled that the first ever conference of Syrian opposition had been organized with Saudi support and in the country's capital.Putin tells Russians he is softening unpopular pension reform'No bargain on security'About U.S. criticism concerning the possible purchase of Russian defense systems S-400 by Saudi Arabia, al-Jubeir said the country does not bargain over its security."There are two things in Saudi Arabia that we do not bargain on, security and faith. Our leadership is always striving to buy the most modern weapons for its army, to protect its sovereignty," he said.Al-Jubeir said the country's militaries consult, negotiate and sign contracts on the purchase of weapons, including those from Russia.Syrian foreign minister to visit Moscow on Thursday"Now talks are being held between the Russian and Saudi concerned persons in the defense domain on buying certain defense systems. And I would not like to interfere in the process and to anticipate their results," he said.Commenting on the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, Lavrov said the move was damaging to regional security.Meanwhile, his Saudi counterpart said the agreement was "weak" and called for strengthening the sanctions on Iran.US warns Syria, Russia on possible Idlib offensive"The [international agreement with Iran called] JCPOA is a weak agreement and does not provide for the adoption of active measures that would not allow Iran to continue its nuclear program as soon as possible. This agreement would end in 2025, and until then there was a danger that Tehran could build a nuclear bomb," al-Jubeir said.Lavrov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had not forgotten about Saudi king's invitation to visit the country.The exact dates and other details of the visit will be agreed via diplomatic channels later, he added.
Ankara, Moscow mull 'practical actions' in Idlib
France is "not ready to pay" for European countries that do not respect the "fundamental principles" of the EU, Le Drian warned ahead of European elections to be held next May.
"We are not prepared to pay for this Europe, it must be made clear," Le Drian said, referring to Poland and Hungary.
"Each member state is free to elect the leaders it wants, but our vision of the EU as the primary circle of alliances and values is not compatible with governments that do not respect its fundamental principles and do not feel bound by community solidarity," he said.
At least 40 Daesh terrorists were released from the prisons of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terror organization’s Syria affiliate, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), in the Raqqa town of Tal Abyad in exchange for ransoms.The destination the freed Daesh prisoners were sent to so far remains unknown.As Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin, YPG/PKK terrorists released Daesh prisoners from its detention centers under the condition that they fight against the Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army fighters.‘US seeks to strengthen presence in Syria by setting up missile defense shield’ US sets up radars in northern Syria to ‘protect PKK terrorists’On Jan. 20 Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.Last October, YPG/PKK terrorists, who are currently occupying about 28 percent of Syria, evacuated a large number of Daesh terrorists from the city center of Raqqa after reaching an agreement with the terror group.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and the EU.In its terror campaign against Turkey, which has lasted for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.Secret witnesses reveal pastor Brunson’s terror links
YPG/PKK terrorists release Daesh prisoners in exchange for money
"Basically, they have a utilitarian approach of the Union in which they would choose only what interests them and in the first place the redistribution of money."
As for the issue of accepting migrants, he said he hoped that a common position would be outlined with Germany before the Salzburg summit planned in September.
"We want to be able to reach a Franco-German position before the Salzburg summit on Sept. 20 so as not to leave this subject to the populists, the illusionist merchants and because we know that the Franco-German relationship is the driving force behind the European recovery," Le Drian concluded.
An Israeli minister on Wednesday threatened to strike Iranian positions in Syria, hours after the announcement of a Syrian-Iranian agreement under which Iran would rebuild Syrian military forces."Israel will not allow Iran to settle in Syria. We will act with all our might against any Iranian position in Syria that threatens the State of Israel," Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz told the Israeli Public Broadcasting Authority.He said the Syrian-Israeli agreement is “crossing the red line we have set”.Referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Katz said that if he defended Iranian forces, "he would bear the consequences immediately."On Monday, Iranian media said Tehran and Damascus signed military and reconstruction agreements during Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami’s visit to Syria.Israel frequently accuses Tehran of exploiting the ongoing conflict in Syria -- where Iran supports the Assad regime -- to establish a permanent military presence near Israel’s border.Meanwhile, Katz described the policy of Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on the blockaded Gaza Strip as “totally a failure”."Israel should take a strategic decision that would change the reality in the Gaza Strip", he said."I support a unilateral move on Gaza without dialogue with Hamas, which would achieve three strategic objectives: complete separation of Israel and Gaza in all civil issues and complete separation of security and demography between Gaza, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority," he said.While the third objective, he added “is to reinforcing the policy of deterrence along the Gaza border”."I do not believe in any arrangement with Hamas, neither at the basic level nor at the operational level," Katz said,” he said.Home to nearly two million people, the Gaza Strip has been reeling under an 11-year Israeli blockade, which has gutted the coastal enclave’s economy and deprived its inhabitants of many basic commodities.Israeli soldier has ‘no regret’ for killing PalestinianJailed Fatah leader calls for healing Palestinian rift27 Palestinians detained in West Bank raidsIran's Khamenei says nuclear deal can be abandoned if does not serve interestsIran's Khamenei tells Rouhani, ministers, to solve economic problems
Israel threatens Iran attacks over Syria deal
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow remained in contact with the United States on the situation in Syria's opposition-held Idlib province.Russia said earlier on Wednesday it was discussing the situation there and in Syria's Afrin region with Iran and Turkey, as well as the Syrian government and opposition, the RIA news agency reported. Syrian foreign minister to visit Moscow on ThursdayUS warns Syria, Russia on possible Idlib offensiveUN chief warns against military escalation in Syria
Russia's Lavrov says contacts with US on Syria's Idlib ongoing