French President: Syria has "no future" among the family of nations
Listen /French President Francois Hollande is concerned about what he has characterized as "paralysis" in the United Nations over the crisis in Syria.
In his first speech to the UN General Assembly, President Hollande said 30,000 people have already died in Syria, and he asked how many more deaths have to occur before action is taken.
"How can we allow the paralysis of the United Nations to continue? I know one thing is certain: the Syrian regime will never again take its place in the concert of nations. It has no future among us, and this is why I have taken the decision on behalf of France to recognize the provisional government representative of the new Syria as soon as it is formed. This government will itself have to give guarantees that every community in Syria will be respected and will be able to live in security in their own country." (Duration: 46″)
On other matters, President Hollande said France supports an increase in the membership of the Security Council to reflect today's global realities, including having an African presence among the permanent members.
France is one of five permanent members of the Security Council. The others are China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
