French prosecutors seek new arrest warrant for Syria's Assad
The decision now rests with investigating magistrates on whether to issue the new warrant.
French authorities have been investigating a suspected sarin gas attack by the Syrian government since 2021.
US intelligence reports indicate the attack killed over 1,000 people in Adra and Douma, near Damascus, on August 4–5, 2013.
France's highest court, the Court of Cassation, ruled last Friday that presidential immunity applies even in cases of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, leading to the annulment of a 2023 arrest warrant against Assad.
However, the court noted that since Assad was ousted in December, new warrants could be pursued.
The National Anti-Terror Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) stated they requested 'the issuing and international dissemination of an arrest warrant against Bashar al-Assad for alleged complicity in crimes against humanity and complicity in war crimes' related to the chemical attack.
Assad and his family reportedly fled to Russia after Islamist-led forces took control in Syria on December 8.
A separate French arrest warrant was issued in January for Assad's alleged involvement in a 2017 bombing in Deraa that killed a French-Syrian civilian. – AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Roundup: Global leaders urge urgent action on food system challenges
ADDIS ABABA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Global leaders on Monday called for urgent collective action to address challenges facing food systems. They made the call during the second United Nations Food Systems Summit, which is underway in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, with political leaders from around the world, heads of UN agencies and regional organizations, as well as representatives from the private sector and civil society, convened to reaffirm their shared responsibilities. Addressing the official opening session on Monday, African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized the need to transform global food systems to address critical sustainable development challenges. "Food systems transformation is not just a moral imperative. It is a strategic necessity central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially ending hunger, reducing poverty, and building climate-resilient economies," he said. The AUC chief highlighted Africa's "bold steps" in food systems transformation, supported by collective continental commitments and investment targets to build resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart food systems. He further called on global partners to support African-led solutions. In a video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the vital need to realize shared commitments in ensuring global food systems that are inclusive, sustainable, equitable, resilient, and rooted in human rights. "Global hunger is rising, trade shocks are pushing food prices out of reach, and one-third of the world's population cannot afford a healthy diet while one-third of the world's food is lost or wasted," Guterres said, warning that climate change and conflict are further driving hunger across the globe. For her part, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stressed the need to address the major drivers of global food insecurity. She noted that although food insecurity has drastically decreased over the past decades, the phenomenon still affects about 10 percent of the world's population. "This percentage is largely concentrated here in Africa, where one in five people suffer from hunger and do not have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead a healthy life. This situation, already complex, has been exacerbated by the crises the world is currently facing," Meloni said. Describing food insecurity as a critical global political and economic issue, she warned of the catastrophic consequences, including poverty and conflicts, as communities become more vulnerable to violence, terrorism, and forced migration. Echoing the sentiment, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the importance of ensuring predictable financing to support investments in agriculture, rural transformation, infrastructure, and nutrition in Africa and beyond. Abiy, in particular, emphasized the need to put in place fair access to technology and finance for agricultural modernization in Africa. He further emphasized the importance of fair trade rules that create a level playing field and a strong global partnership that empowers local solutions. The summit, held on July 27-29, is expected to reflect on global progress in food systems transformation, strengthen collaboration, and unlock finance and investments to accelerate action toward the UN SDGs.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Macron compelled to recognise Palestine state
PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France would become the first Western member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to recognise a Palestinian state in September has caused diplomatic ructions from the Middle East through Europe to Washington. But it did not come out of the blue. When Macron visited the Egyptian town of Al-Arish on the border with Gaza in April, he was struck by the mounting humanitarian crisis and made clear on his return home that Paris would soon opt for recognition. Working with Saudi Arabia, Macron came up with a plan to have France plus G7 allies Britain and Canada recognise Palestinian statehood, while pushing Arab states to adopt a softer stance towards Israel through a United Nations (UN) conference. But despite weeks of talks he failed to get others on board. Three diplomats said London did not want to face the wrath of the United States, and Ottawa took a similar stance, leaving Macron to go it alone. "It became increasingly apparent that we could not wait to get partners on board," said a French diplomat, adding that France would work to get more states on board ahead of a conference on a two-state solution in September. Domestically Macron was under rising pressure to do something amid widespread anger at the harrowing images coming out of Gaza. Although with both Europe's biggest Muslim and Jewish communities and a polarised political landscape, there was no obvious course of action that would satisfy all sides. Israel and its staunch supporter the US have blasted France's move, branding it a reward for Hamas whose attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023 triggered the current war. Macron had discussed the matter extensively with both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in advance. Trump said last Friday France's decision didn't "carry any weight" but added that Macron was "a good guy". French officials previously considered an announcement at a conference scheduled for last month at the UN, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, to sketch out a roadmap to a viable Palestinian state while also ensuring Israel's security. But the conference was postponed amid intense US diplomatic pressure and after Israeli air strikes on Iran. Macron's announcement last Thursday is linked to a rescheduled and rejigged version of the UN conference planned for yesterday and today. Some analysts say Macron has used the carrot of recognition to extract concessions from Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority that is a moderate rival to Hamas, and other regional players. "Macron here is acting as a catalyst to get the Palestinians to deliver on the needed reforms, to get the Arabs to deliver on a stabilisation force and the disarming of Hamas," said Rym Momtaz, editor-in-chief of the Strategic Europe blog run by the Carnegie Europe think tank. Others say while recognition has symbolic value, there will still be no functioning Palestinian state whenever the war in Gaza comes to an end. "What's the point of recognising a state if they're doing little to stop it from turning into ruins?" said Amjad Iraqi, senior analyst at International Crisis Group. French officials point to months of intense Israeli lobbying to try to prevent Macron's move — and Netanyahu's fierce criticism of it — as evidence that it matters a lot to Israeli leaders. Sources familiar with the matter say Israel's warnings to France had ranged from scaling back intelligence-sharing to complicating Paris' regional initiatives — even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank. But French officials concluded that Netanyahu would do whatever he thought was in his interests in the West Bank anyway, regardless of what France did on recognition. Israel's parliament voted last Wednesday in favour of a nonbinding declaration urging the government to apply Israeli law to the West Bank, widely seen as a de facto annexation of the territory. That added to the urgency in Paris. "If there is a moment in history to recognise a Palestinian state, even if it's just symbolic, then I would say that moment has probably come," said a senior French official.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Abim: Ceasefire shows Malaysia's strength in conflict mediation
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, describing it as a significant diplomatic achievement under Malaysia's leadership as Asean chair. In a statement today, Abim extended its highest commendation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his role in brokering the deal, which takes effect at midnight. The ceasefire is expected to de-escalate rising tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, which have already led to casualties and threatened regional stability. The ceasefire was announced following a special meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, hosted by Anwar at Kompleks Seri Perdana in Putrajaya. Abim's president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said the success reaffirmed Asean's relevance as a regional conflict resolution platform and underscored Malaysia's ability to unite member states with the backing of global powers such as the United States and China, who co-sponsored the talks. "Abim applauds Malaysia's proactive role in restoring regional stability through principled, inclusive, and effective diplomatic engagement," he said. Abim urged these powers to continue supporting Asean's peace-first approach and to avoid exploiting regional tensions for strategic gain. "It also called for respect for regional leadership and efforts to strengthen local capacity in resolving disputes with sovereignty and dignity," he said in a statement. The group urged all parties to honour the ceasefire and halt any further acts of armed provocation. It also proposed the formation of an independent and neutral Asean-led monitoring team to ensure smooth implementation of the truce. "As a show of regional solidarity, Asean humanitarian aid must be delivered urgently to all affected communities, particularly displaced families and those who have lost loved ones or homes in the conflict." Abim appealed to the people of both countries, including social media users, to refrain from spreading hate speech, provocation or unfounded allegations that could undermine efforts towards peace. As part of its ongoing commitment to peacebuilding, Abim said it would continue working with civil society networks across the region to promote dialogue, assist victims of conflict, and ensure that the voices of ordinary people are included in peace efforts. The group also proposed the formation of an Asean Civil Society Conference for Regional Peace and an Asean Peace Education Programme, aimed at youth and communities in border areas.
