France's Juppé wants trial of Syrian regime in international court

France hopes the Damascus regime in Syria will be forced to account for its actions before an international court of justice, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Monday.

Reuters/Charles Platiau

Speaking during a break in talks between EU foreign ministers, Juppé said he would plead for legal action when he attends the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva later on Monday.

"I will say this afternoon in Geneva that I hope to see the international community reflect on the conditions of a referral to the ICC," he declared.

"This is a difficult dossier," he said, explaining that as Syria was not a party to the Rome convention establishing the International Criminal Court, the ICC itself could not initiate action.

Juppe said it would be up to the UN Security Council to refer the matter, adding "So we will have to continue thinking and gathering elements that would enable a referral".