Reuters: France calls for humanitarian zone in Syria

[ellisonz]

France calls for humanitarian zone in Syria
ReutersBy Khaled Yacoub Oweis and John Irish | Reuters – 1 hr 30 mins ago

AMMAN/PARIS (Reuters) - France has called for a "secured zone to protect civilians" in Syria, the first time a major Western power has suggested international intervention on the ground in the eight-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

Foreign Minister Alain Juppe also described Syria's exiled opposition National Council as "the legitimate partner with which we want to work," the biggest international endorsement yet for the nascent opposition body.

A spokesman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the EU was ready to engage with the Syrian National Council and other opposition groups, but stressed the need for them to maintain a peaceful, non-sectarian approach.

Asked at a news conference on Wednesday after meeting the SNC president if a humanitarian corridor was an option for Syria, Juppe ruled out military intervention to create a "buffer zone" in northern Syria but suggested a "secured zone" may be feasible to protect civilians and ferry in humanitarian aid.

http://news.yahoo.com/france-calls-humanitarian-zone-syria-025305275.html

They are walking a very fine line...