Adoption of a resolution by the Arab League urging the Syrian coalition to form an executive body to take up Syria's seat at the Arab League
Kidnapping of 21 UNDOF peacekeepers in the Golan Heights
United States – Execution of Frederick Treesh (March 6, 2013)
Libya – Attack against the General National Congress and its president
Adoption of a resolution by the Arab League urging the Syrian coalition to form an executive body to take up Syria's seat at the Arab League
France welcomes the Arab League’s decision, which paves the way for the official representation of the Syrian opposition within the organization.
We encourage the opposition forces which together form the Syrian National Coalition to work toward establishing an executive body as requested in the Arab League resolution and to speed up the search for a solution to the conflict in Syria.
This decision consolidates the Syrian National Coalition’s position as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people, which France was one of the first countries to recognize.
Kidnapping of 21 UNDOF peacekeepers in the Golan Heights
France strongly condemns the kidnapping of 21 UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) peacekeepers in the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel.
France demands their immediate and unconditional release and urges all parties to fully cooperate with the UNDOF. Any obstruction to UNDOF’s action or any act that puts its personnel at risk is unacceptable.
France reaffirms its full support for the UNDOF. It reaffirms that UN operations are carried out by neutral and impartial peacekeeping forces and should not in any way be attacked during a conflict.
United States – Execution of Frederick Treesh (March 6, 2013)
France condemns the execution by lethal injection of Frederick Treesh in the state of Ohio on March 6, 2013. This is the 4th execution in the United States in 2013 and the 50th prisoner to be put to death in Ohio since the moratorium ended in 1999.
France reaffirms its constant opposition to the death penalty everywhere and under all circumstances. This is the thrust of the campaign for the universal abolition of the death penalty, launched on October 9, 2012. Our diplomatic network is fully committed to this priority, wherever the death penalty continues to be applied. France urges the Ohio authorities to put an end to the executions, to re-establish a moratorium and to initiate a debate on the abolition of the death penalty.
Libya – Attack against the General National Congress and its president
France expresses its deep concern at the most recent incidents in Tripoli which have undermined the proper functioning and the legitimacy of the General National Congress and caused physical harm to its president, Mohamed Magariaf.
It urges all Libyans to unite and to continue building the rule of law based on respect for the elected institutions, the freedom of the individual, as well as democratic laws and principles.
France continues to have confidence in the continuation of the political transition process under way in Libya and encourages a calm and constructive dialogue between all Libyans.