French President Leaves Open Possibility of Military Intervention in Syria
Berlin reacted with surprise and irritation on Wednesday at French President François Hollande’s statement that he would not rule out international military intervention in Syria. Officials were quick to state that Germany is not considering military options, and some said Hollande’s position was made for domestic political gains.
German politicians from both ends of the political spectrum expressed surprise Wednesday at French President François Hollande’s statement that he would not rule out international military intervention in Syria.
Hollande made the comments on French television Tuesday night, adding that such intervention, as was the case with Libya in 2011, would require a mandate from the United Nations.
“It is not possible to allow Bashar Assad to massacre his own people,” Hollande said.
But politicians in Berlin indicated that Hollande had taken things too far. “As far as the German government is concerned, there is no cause for speculation over military options,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told SPIEGEL ONLINE. “And we want to avoid a wildfire in the region.” Instead, the international community should make a unified effort to increase political pressure on Assad’s regime, he said.