French Senators No Longer Back Immediate Resignation of Assad

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France is considering closer cooperation with Russia and no longer insisting on the immediate resignation of Bashar al-Assad as president of Syria.

Following the terrorist attack in Nice on July 14 which left at least 84 people dead, France is considering closer cooperation with Russia and no longer insisting on the immediate resignation of Bashar al-Assad as president of Syria, according to Izvestia newspaper.

"The main contradiction between the EU and Russia in Syria is the position on Bashar Assad. However, after what happened in Nice, many in the Senate are in favor of temporary supporting him for uniting the coalition with Russia in fight against Daesh [Arabic acronym for "ISIS" / "ISIL"]," French Senator and a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces, Yves Pozzo di Borgo told Izvestia newspaper.

He further said that it is time to stop saying that the problem is with Assad and focus on developing relations with Russia in Syria and generally in all international operations against terrorism.

"It is necessary to coordinate closer ties between Europe, the US and Russia because now it is clear that the phenomenon of Daesh is an international problem. We need solidarity and expertise in the fight against radical militants," di Borgo said.

According to the senator, Paris may soon begin to coordinate actions with the Peshmerga forces and Syrian government forces.

"Inside coalition (France is part of coalition of countries under US leadership) there is no single opinion on the need for ground operations. Nevertheless, we are ready to cooperate with the Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga troops and Syrian forces," di Borgo added.

The officer went on to say that "Although we must understand that we may not find a solution to the Daesh problem after the disappearance of militants from Syria and Iraq, it is a global issue that requires deliberation."

Currently, the total number of French soldiers involved in the operation, is 3,500. What exactly is France going to do after Nice attack, remains unclear. However, French President Francois Hollande said that the country will expand the military operation in the fight against Daesh.

Former adviser to the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal Affairs of France, Colonel Alan Korvez also believes that Paris has to start cooperating with Syrian forces to better deal with the militants.

"Foreign policy must change; diplomacy does not work anymore, because this is not the first time that France is faced with real threats. EU leaders must objectively respond to what is happening. The reality is that without coordination with Russia and the Syrian army, we will not be able to defeat the terrorists," Korvez told Izvestia newspaper.

He said that it is vital to work more closely with both the Russian army in Syria and the Syrian government forces to exchange relevant information because according to him Syria's secret service is actually better aware of all that is happening on the battlefield and beyond and has the information regarding who and from which countries has joined the terrorists.

"France must change its policy, because we are really faced with the strongest threat of terrorism. Russia is making great efforts to deal with the radicals; it has experience in combating terrorism. If we join forces, we will be able to crush the militants," Korvez told the publication.

On July 14, a truck rammed into a large crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the city of Nice. At least 84 people, including children, were killed and hundreds of others were injured. The French investigation found that the person behind the attack was 31-year-old resident of Nice of Tunisian origins Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel.

On July 16, media reported that Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.

Source: Sputnik, Edited by website team