France backs Astana Syria truce objectives, insists on opposition presence

France said on Tuesday it supported the objective of consolidating a nationwide ceasefire in Syria at proposed talks in the Kazak capital Astana later this month, but said the talks needed to have a credible and large opposition representation. Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told his Turkish counterpart that Paris "confirmed its support for the announced objectives ... and insisted on the importance of a large and credible opposition presence," Foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said in a daily briefing. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier he had information that some European countries were considering wrecking Syria peace talks because they felt left out.

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