France Set to Become Washington's Main Syria Ally
France on Friday reaffirmed its will for "strong" action against the Syrian regime, a day after the British parliament's shock rejection of military strikes -- putting it in a position to become the United States' main ally in the Syria crisis.
The situation is a far cry from a decade back when Franco-U.S. ties hit a low over differences on Iraq and then-president Jacques Chirac's opposition to the Anglo-U.S. offensive against Saddam Hussein's regime.
So deep was the animosity that French fries were renamed "freedom fries" in some American restaurants -- including those serving the U.S. House of Representatives office buildings -- and anti-French hate messages were brandished in public, including on T-shirts and billboards.
In a dramatic reversal from the situation then, French President Francois Hollande gave a shot in the arm to flagging efforts by Washington to form an international coalition for possible strikes on Syria.
"All options are on the table. France wants firm and proportionate action against the Damascus regime," he said in an interview with Le Monde daily to be published Saturday.
Hollande, responding to a question, did not exclude the possibility of military strikes within days, even prior to an emergency session of parliament on Wednesday to debate the issue.
A Franco-U.S. offensive alliance would be "an unparalleled situation in contemporary times", said Bruno Tertrais from the Foundation of Strategic Research.
"The Americans and the French have worked together on the frontline in the past as in Lebanon in the 80s and 90s, but I don't recollect an offensive coalition comprising the Americans and the French but not the British," he said.
"We are in exactly the opposite situation to 2003," added Tertrais. "The United States does not need anybody militarily. But it is extremely important for them not to be alone politically."
Tertrais said Paris and Washington would try and rope in Arab countries "because both of them want to avoid giving the impression of a Western intervention in Syria."
U.S. President Barack Obama had said last year that the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad would breach a "red line" if it used chemical weapons.
As the 29-month war has claimed more than 100,000 lives, the West -- led by the United States -- has only upped the ante following an alleged chemical weapons attack near Damascus on August 21.
Assad's government has denied using chemical weapons and points an accusing finger at the opposition.
If a Franco-American coalition does take shape, Paris is in a position to help with cruise missiles launched by fighter jets and with submarines. But a French source said Paris would have to re-think logistical planning after Britain's refusal to take part in any offensive.
Both the U.S. and France however underscore that any military action is not aimed at toppling Assad but only forcing his regime to stop using chemical weapons.
Source: Agence France Presse
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