Local Editor

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he no longer believes that Bashar Assad's departure is necessary before any political transition in Syria, in an interview published Saturday.

"The fight against "ISIS" is crucial, but it will only be totally effective if all the Syrian and regional forces are united," he added.

"A united Syria implies a political transition. That does not mean that Bashar Assad must leave even before the transition, but there must be assurances for the future."

Fabius' comments mark a change in France's position on the Syrian president, as it has previously demanded the removal of Assad.

However, there had been signs Paris might moderate its position as its priority shifted to tackling "ISIS" terrorist group which carried out the Paris attacks last month.

Speaking at the UN climate conference just outside Paris earlier on Monday, Fabius said: "If we achieve a political transition and it's no longer Bashar in charge of the Syrian army, there could be joint actions against terrorism.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team