AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki
Damascus (AFP) – France’s decision to recognise a new opposition bloc as the sole representative of the Syrian people is “immoral,” the war-torn country’s deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday.
“Allow me to use the word, this is an immoral position because it allows the killing of Syrians,” Faisal Muqdad told AFP. “They are supporting killers, terrorists and they are encouraging the destruction of Syria.”
France recognised the newly formed opposition National Coalition on Tuesday as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people, the first western state to do so, and said the question of arming the rebels must now be reviewed.
“I think it is a big mistake,” Muqdad said. “I think people around the world will be disappointed by this decision.”
Muqdad also accused France of reviving “its colonialist past”.
“The French leadership believes the whole colonialist history will return again,” he said, accusing it of violating international law by supporting “terrorism”.
Since the start of an anti-regime revolt in March 2011, the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad has described dissidents, and later rebels, as “armed terrorist groups” supported by the west, Turkey and some Arab states.
“This flagrant interference by France in Syrian internal affairs violates the Charter of the United Nations. The best way forward for France is to leave the Middle East alone,” said Muqdad.
The regime has also warned the Syrian conflict may spark a regional war.
Muqdad lashed out at France’s decision to rethink its position on arming the rebels.
“We strongly condemn the French position, which is unacceptable,” said Muqdad.
“France is now giving financial and technical help to the terrorists,” said Muqdad. “They are responsible for the killing of thousands of Syrians by giving the terrorist groups such a help.”
French President François Hollande said on Tuesday that the question of arming the rebels would now “have to be necessarily reviewed not only in France but in all countries which will recognise this government”.
