More than two-thirds of French people are against the country taking part in international military action in Syria, according to a newspaper poll published Saturday.
The survey for French daily Le Figaro showed the country's opposition to military action against the Damascus government has increased markedly since the end of August.
Asked whether they would be in favor of French participation – which President Francois Hollande strongly supports – 68 percent of respondents said no.
That was an increase of nine percentage points on a survey published on August 29.
The survey also showed that 64 percent oppose all international military action in Syria – irrespective of French involvement – compared with just 45 percent on August 29.
France is the only international power to have vowed to join any US military action in Syria, which Russia strongly opposes.
However, at a G20 summit that failed to resolve bitter international divisions on the issue, Hollande said he would wait for a much-anticipated report by United Nations inspectors on the deadly August 21 attacks before joining any military action.
The survey came as US Secretary of State John Kerry embarked on a tour of Europe to try to muster support for military strikes against Syria after what the United States says was a chemical weapons attack by the government of President Bashar al-Assad near Damascus.
The Ifop poll surveyed 972 people between August 26 and 28.
(AFP)
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| Local Editor | ||||
 Being isolated on the international scene and challenged by the opposition, the French President François Hollande is now abandoned by his people.Almost 64% of the French people say they oppose the military intervention in Syria, according to a poll results, published by the French daily Le Figaro on Friday. Moreover, 68% of the French respondents oppose the participation of France in case of "international military intervention." Conducted in September, the survey demonstrates a collapse of support for Hollande's projects. From February 2012 till August 2013, the percentage of French people who are against the intervention was ranging between 49% and 41%. That will not simplify the task of Hollande in moving on with his decision regarding Syria, as his isolation grew up following his stance of the Syrian issue. However, the latest developments of the Syrian file have changed the game rule. France is left standing alone in first line following the United Kingdom's refusal to participate in a "punitive" operation against the Syrian government and after Barack Obama's decision to consult with the Congress before making any step. "Francois Hollande insulated side of the United States, as shown by the course of the G20 summit in Saint Petersburg," according to the Le Figaro. | ||||
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