France says no role for Assad in Syria transition

PARIS - Agence France-Presse

AFP photo

France said on Thursday that President Bashar al-Assad should not have any role in Syria's political transition as he had too much blood on his hands.

"Bashar al-Assad, who is still ferociously repressing his people and bears responsibility for the 45,000 victims of this conflict cannot be part of the political transition," foreign ministry deputy spokesman Vincent Floreani said.

The statement came after international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi called for "real change" and the installation of a transitional government with full powers until elections can be held.

"The transition period should not lead to the collapse of the state and its institutions," Brahimi said, making no mention on the fate of Assad, whose current term expires in 2014.