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The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Paris to host Syria talks on integrating Kurds
Syria, France and the US said they agreed on Friday to convene "as soon as possible" talks in Paris to integrate the autonomous Kurdish administration into the Syrian state. The Kurds, who control large swathes of north-east Syria, are negotiating with the central government in Damascus on the integration of their civil and military institutions into the state. Those include the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The three countries agreed to 'host as soon as possible the next round of consultations in Paris between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces regarding the full implementation of the March 10 agreement ', according to a joint statement. The statement was issued after a Friday meeting in Paris between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani. In March, Syria 's government reached a deal with the SDF to integrate the group into state institutions. The deal was signed between Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara and the head of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi. Damascus had previously accused the SDF of delays in implementing a March deal to integrate into the country's armed forces, warning that inaction would undermine stability. Several rounds of talks have been held but the process has stalled, with Kurdish officials criticising a constitutional declaration announced by the new authorities, saying it failed to reflect Syria's diversity. A meeting was set to take place in Paris on Thursday between Kurdish representatives and a Syrian government delegation, but it was postponed. Mr Barrot held a phone call on Friday with the Mr Abdi, Paris said, to "confirm the upcoming negotiations session". Damascus insists on reunifying the country at any cost and demands that the Kurds hand over their weapons. But this week, the SDF said it is 'impossible' to lay down their arms amid a flurry of sectarian violence in the country. An outbreak of fierce fighting in the south of Syria, with troops sent to quell unrest involving Bedouin tribes and the Druze minority, has cast further doubt on Mr Al Shara's efforts to hold Syria together. And under pressure from Washington, Syria has mounted raids against members of ISIS as the extremist group threatens to stage a resurgence. 'In light of the continuing tensions in Syria, the escalating violence, and the threat of ISIS, it is impossible for our forces to surrender their weapons,' Kurdish media quoted SDF spokesman Abjar Daoud as saying.
The National
8 hours ago
- The National
France, Germany and UK call on Israel to lift aid restrictions on Gaza
Rubio condemns French decision to recognise Palestinian state Qatar and Egypt say Gaza ceasefire efforts continue France says Palestine recognition 'goes against' Hamas stance Gaza starvation a 'moral failure' by global powers, UN chief says USAID analysis found no evidence of massive Hamas theft of Gaza aid At least 59,587 Palestinians killed and 143,498 wounded since Gaza war began
The National
11 hours ago
- The National
Rubio condemns French decision to recognise Palestinian state, as policy gap widens between US and Europe
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron that his country will recognise a Palestinian state, calling it a "reckless decision". Mr Rubio described the move as a setback for peace and said it was an affront to the victims of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the Gaza war. Mr Macron said on Thursday that France intended to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, adding that he hoped it would help bring peace to the Middle East. The announcement widens a rift between Europe and the US on policy towards Palestine, after Washington's ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said in June that he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a US foreign policy goal. "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace," Mr Rubio said. "It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7." About 140 countries now recognise or plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, but France would become the biggest European power to do so, and the first G7 state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the move, saying it "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became". "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launchpad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it," he added. However, there was widespread praise for the French decision. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry called it historic. "The kingdom reiterates its call for all countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take similar positive steps and adopt serious positions that support peace and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," it said. Lack of food hindering injured Gazans' recovery Jordan's Foreign Ministry also commended Paris. "This is a step in the right direction towards the realisation of the two-state solution and the end of the occupation," ministry spokesman Sufyan Qudah said in a statement. Senior Palestinian Authority official Hussein Al Sheikh praised the move, saying it "reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state". In Europe, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose country already recognises Palestine, welcomed the announcement. "Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy," said Mr Sanchez, an outspoken critic of the conflict in Gaza. "The two-state solution is the only solution." Hamas, meanwhile, also welcomed the decision as a "positive step in the right direction towards doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to self-determination". "We call on all countries of the world, especially European nations and those that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine, to follow France's lead," it said. France will join Norway, Ireland and Spain in recognising Palestine. To date, only nine EU members have taken the step, making France's move significant, especially given its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Mr Macron's move comes as anger mounts over the death toll in the Gaza war and the growing number of people starving in the enclave. 'The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,″ the French President said. In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would hold an "emergency call" on Friday with France and Germany on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging a ceasefire and steps towards Palestinian statehood. "We will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace," he said in a statement. "A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis." Mr Starmer said the situation in Gaza had "reached new depths and continues to worsen". He added that the "suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible".
