Syria/defection of Mr Riad Hijab

The news of the Syrian Prime Minister’s defection illustrates the weakening of a regime which is opting all the more for armed violence because it is losing most of its supporters.

France is convinced that Bashar al-Assad’s regime is doomed. The increasing number of politicians, soldiers and high-ranking diplomats defecting is a sign that the ruling clan is being weakened.

As we stand alongside the Syrian people, we must keep on exerting strong pressure in order for this criminal regime finally to make way for a democratic, pluralist Syria./.