LBCI

France says it is too early to discuss lifting EU sanctions on Syria

Middle East News

12-12-2024 | 12:31

Share

Share

France says it is too early to discuss lifting EU sanctions on Syria

2^min

France said Thursday it was too soon for the European Union to consider lifting sanctions on Syria following the removal of President Bashar al-Assad and would first focus on defining its position on Syria's transition.

Most EU governments welcomed Assad's fall but are considering whether they can work with the rebels that ousted him including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group that is designated a terrorist organization by the EU.

EU foreign ministers are due to meet in Brussels next week.

Asked whether Paris could push for the lifting of sanctions on Syria, notably in the energy sector, Foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine told reporters: "We are taking this in an orderly way, step by step."

"We know the sanctions regime on Syria is very tough, but for now the discussions in Brussels will especially be on the position of the Europeans on the political transition. The sanctions question can come after that," he said.

Reuters

Middle East News

France

EU

Sanctions

Syria

Next

Israel says it 'will enforce' ban on 37 NGOs in Gaza

Recommended For You

Yemen's Houthis say targeted Saudi military vessel in Red Sea

Middle East News

08:31

Yemen's Houthis say targeted Saudi military vessel in Red Sea

Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it gets in way of Iran deal: Report

Middle East News

08:08

Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it gets in way of Iran deal: Report

Yemen risks return to 'full-scale conflict', warns UN rights chief

Middle East News

07:36

Yemen risks return to 'full-scale conflict', warns UN rights chief

Trump: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon

Middle East News

06:44

Trump: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

As one‑month Iran deadline looms, Israel boosts military preparedness

News Bulletin Reports

2026-02-13

As one‑month Iran deadline looms, Israel boosts military preparedness

Lebanese army delegation visits Washington — what lies ahead for US support?

News Bulletin Reports

2026-01-28

Lebanese army delegation visits Washington — what lies ahead for US support?

Lebanon's Finance Minister sets June 2026 deadline for settlement of tax penalties

2026-02-20

Lebanon's Finance Minister sets June 2026 deadline for settlement of tax penalties

President Aoun says preparatory talks expected with Lebanon’s ambassador in Washington, calls it major opportunity for Lebanon

2026-05-04

President Aoun says preparatory talks expected with Lebanon’s ambassador in Washington, calls it major opportunity for Lebanon

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Fears of renewed fighting force southern Lebanon residents to leave homes again

1

Fears of renewed fighting force southern Lebanon residents to leave homes again

President Aoun backs extending UNIFIL mandate, stresses need for international presence in south

2

President Aoun backs extending UNIFIL mandate, stresses need for international presence in south

Eight Muslim countries condemn Israel's rejection of Trump's Gaza plan

3

Eight Muslim countries condemn Israel's rejection of Trump's Gaza plan

US envoy Kushner meets Hamas leaders in Egypt: AFP

4

US envoy Kushner meets Hamas leaders in Egypt: AFP

Hamas sources tell AFP Kushner to meet Hamas leadership in Egypt

5

Hamas sources tell AFP Kushner to meet Hamas leadership in Egypt

Strikes kill 12 in Russia and Ukraine

6

Strikes kill 12 in Russia and Ukraine

Trump envoy Kushner discusses Gaza with Egypt's Sisi: Presidency

7

Trump envoy Kushner discusses Gaza with Egypt's Sisi: Presidency

PM Salam: Lebanon insists on maintaining UN force in South Lebanon

8

PM Salam: Lebanon insists on maintaining UN force in South Lebanon

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More