Sarkozy Loses Patience with Assad

Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 9:08:45 am PST

French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he’s had it up to here with the chinless ophthalmologist.

“I have reached the end of the road with [Syrian President Bashar] Assad. Words alone won’t suffice, I want actions,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy was quoted as telling reporters Wednesday at the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

France has grown increasingly impatient with Syria, particularly over its intervention in Lebanese politics and its alleged involvement in political assassinations in the country.

Sarkozy spoke with Assad on several occasions recently in order to bring about a solution to the crisis over the Lebanese presidency, but it appears that his patience is now wearing thin. “I spoke to him three times recently and I spoke with him clearly and honestly,” said Sarkozy. “I took the risk and spoke with him when no one else would,” Asharq Alawsat quoted the French president as saying.

Sarkozy continued: “I took the initiative and said to him: ‘Lebanon has a right to have an autonomous president who will have a national unity government. You must use all the means and abilities at your disposal to influence the attainment of this goal!’”

“But I am telling you,” he was quoted by the London-based newspaper as saying. “I have reached the end of the road with Assad. Now words will not suffice, I want actions.”