Hollande: Syria’s future cannot include Assad

French President Francois Hollande said yesterday that Syria’s future cannot include Bashar Al-Assad.

The French president made his remarks during a press conference held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

“France will communicate with all Syrian parties, without exclusion, in order to reach a political solution to the conflict, but the future of Syria cannot be with Bashar Al-Assad,” he said.

“Civilian populations must be protected against all forms of violence, that of Daesh and other terrorist groups, but also against the deadly bombings by Bashar Al-Assad.”

He revealed that France has launched the first airstrikes against the Islamic State militants in Syria and destroyed a training camp.

“Our forces reached their objectives: the camp was completely destroyed,” Hollande said.

“Six jets were used, including five Rafales, and they were able to ensure that our operation did not have any consequences for the civilian population,” he added.