The fall of Bashar al-Assad is “a historic upheaval” and “good news for freedom”, assures Jean-Noël Barrot

The resigning Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs was the guest of “8h30 franceinfo”, Monday morning.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad is “a historic moment“, assures Jean-Noël Barrot, resigning Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, on franceinfo this Monday. “How can we not rejoice at the fall of the worst dictator of our time, after decades of ferocious repression?“, continues the minister.

“It is therefore a historic upheaval, and it is the demonstration, if one were needed, that the law of the strongest is never lastingly the best.“, adds Jean-Noël Barrot. “This is good news for freedom. This is good news for the Syrian people who must now take their destiny into their own hands“, continues the resigning Minister of Foreign Affairs.

France will support “a political transition which is inclusive, which allows all minorities to be represented, which is respectful of human rights, women's rights and which allows Syria to embark on the path to peace just and lasting peace“, he assures.

France will be “uncompromising” et “mobilized“to prevent the country from falling into the hands of jihadists, assures Jean-Noël Barrot:”This political transition must leave no room for extremism“, insists Jean-Noël Barrot.

“France's support will be conditional on respect for minorities“, insists the head of French diplomacy. “We have the financial leverage, since we will have to participate in the reconstruction and we will only do so if the conditions mentioned are respected“, warns Jean-Noël Barrot.

Is the Islamist rebel group HTS which brought down the regime considered by France to be a terrorist organization? “This group is considered a terrorist organization by the UN.“, replies the resigning minister. “It is up to this group to demonstrate its sincere desire to rule out extremism and above all to organize a transition which allows all the Syrian minorities to whom we are very attached to take their full part.“, adds Jean-Noël Barrot.