France recognizes new Syrian opposition body 

(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) France recognizes the new Syrian opposition body as a "sole representative" of the Syrian people, President Francois Hollande announced Tuesday.

"I announce today France's recognition of the Syrian National Coalition of Opposition Forces that has been recently formed as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people," Hollande told a news conference.

He considered the coalition, which was established in Qatar, as "the future transitional government of democratic Syria which paves way to put an end to Bashar Assad's regime." The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) had yesterday recognized the new Syrian opposition body as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Arab and European foreign ministers, during their meeting in Cairo earlier today, said the formation of the opposition umbrella was an "important step" forward.

On the sending of arms to Syria, Hollande France was committed to EU's ban on arms exports to Syria.

France supports the ban "as long as the party getting the weapons is unknown," added the French leader.