French and German Diplomats Urge Destruction of Syria’s Chemical Weapons Under New Leadership
Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Foreign Minister, called for the new Syrian authorities to immediately request the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to destroy the chemical stockpiles established by Bashar al-Assad’s regime. During a visit to Damascus on January 3, Barrot and Germany’s Foreign Minister met with Ahmad al-Chareh, the new Islamist leader, emphasizing a need for a peaceful transition. The European diplomats warned that Europe would not fund new Islamist structures in Syria, while al-Chareh faces scrutiny for his plans to unify the country and dissolve armed factions.