Fabius questions US ‘commitment’ in Syria

Outgoing French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius criticizes the US role in Syria, saying he did not see “a very strong commitment” from Washington.

“There are ambiguities… You don’t get the feeling that there is a very strong commitment,” Fabius tells reporters shortly before announcing that he was stepping down after nearly four years as foreign minister.

His remarks come as Syrian forces, backed by Russia and Iran, were besieging the divided northern city of Aleppo.

“There are words, but actions are something else,” says Fabius, whose country is a member of the US-led coalition bombarding the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

“Obviously, as the Russians and the Iranians sense that, they have understood… and (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad is regaining strength,” Fabius says.

The outgoing foreign minister also takes aim at Moscow, repeating a charge that Russian airstrikes are targeting “moderate” opposition groups more than IS.

— AFP