Syrian opposition backers to meet in Paris

As East Aleppo faces an onslaught by regime troops and war planes, France has called on international backers of the moderate opposition to meet in Paris in the coming weeks.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

23 November, 2016

Supporters of Syria's moderate rebels will meet early next month [AFP]

International backers of Syria's moderate opposition will meet in Paris in early December, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Wednesday, as rebel forces in Aleppo lose ground to regime forces.

Ayrault said he had invited "countries who are friends of Syrian democracy and of the democratic Syrian opposition" to Paris.

He said the international community "must stop averting its gaze" from the "terrible reality" of what was happening in Syria, especially in the besieged city of Aleppo.

"It is urgent that we react," Ayrault added.

France, the US, Germany, Italy, the UK and Turkey would attend, as well as the rebels' regional allies Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan.

Syrian pro-regime forces are currently pushing into Aleppo as the regime attempts to recapture the entire city.

Air raids in rebel-held East Aleppo have killed hundreds of civilians over the past week, with a siege on the district threatening locals with starvation.