http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-russia-syria-macron-idUKKBN18P1OQ?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FUKWorldNews+%28News+%2F+UK+%2F+World+News%29
Mon May 29, 2017 | 4:59pm BST
Chemical
weapons a red line in Syria, France's Macron says
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) give a joint press conference at the
Chateau de Versailles before the opening of an exhibition marking 300 years of
diplomatic ties between the two countries in Versailles, France, May 29,
2017.REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
·
The use of chemical weapons in Syria is a
red line for France and would result in reprisals, Emmanuel Macron said on
Monday during his first meeting as president of France with his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin.
"Any use of chemical weapons would
results in reprisals and an immediate
, at least where France is
concerned," Macron said at a joint news conference with Putin in which he
added that his aim was the fight against terrorism in the country.
He said he wanted to work with Putin to
that end.
The two countries back different sides in
the Syrian conflict, with Putin behind President Bashar al-Assad and Macron
part of a western coalition that supports rebel groups and has accused Assad of
using chemical weapons in the past.
Macron said he had a frank exchange of
views with Putin, and that the two had aired their disagreements on a number of
subjects.
(Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by
Leigh Thomas)