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France says pushes for U.N. response to Syria

by Reuters
Sunday, 12 June 2011 18:35 GMT

PARIS, June 12 (Reuters) - France said on Sunday that it was doing what it could to secure a U.N. response to increasingly brutal repression in Syria.

"France is continuing its efforts with its partners in the international community to see that the United Nations Security Council takes responsibility and speaks out without delay on the Syrian crisis and regional consequences," a statement issued by the French foreign ministry said.

Syrian tanks and helicopters stormed Jisr al-Shughour on Sunday, according to residents, and state television reported heavy clashes between army troops and gunmen opposed to President Bashar al-Assad.

The assault on Jisr al-Shughour, astride a strategic road in northwest Syria, is the latest action by Syrian armed forces to crush demands for political freedom and an end to oppression that pose an unprecedented challenge to Assad's 11-year rule.

"France strongly condemns the ever more brutal repression in Syria, including the use of heavy weapons in Jisr al-Shughour, which many civilians are fleeing to seek refuge in Turkey," said

"It must stop," the statement said. (Reporting by Brian Love; Editing by Louise Ireland)

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