Macron slams Assad for comments on France supporting terror

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron hits back at his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad’s allegations that France supported terrorism in Syria, insisting that the US-led international coalition should be credited for the military successes against the Islamic State group.

Speaking after a meeting today with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Macron says that Assad’s comments were “unacceptable” because France’s priority is “the war against Daesh,” using an Arabic term for the group.

Macron is reacting to comments made by Assad, who said earlier this week that France had no right to be involved in the peace process because “since the beginning France has been the spearhead of supporting terrorism in Syria.”

Macron reiterates that Assad can’t be ignored in the peace process when IS is defeated in Syria.

— AP