Russia, Iran accused of ‘complicity’ with Assad

PARIS: Outgoing French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Wednesday accused Russia and Iran of “complicity” in the “brutality” of the Syrian regime. “There is both the frightening brutality of Bashar Assad’s regime... and — I am going to name those responsible — there is complicity on the part of Russia and Iran,” Fabius told lawmakers. Fabius also criticized the US role in Syria, saying he did not see “a very strong commitment” from Washington. “There are ambiguities... You don’t get the feeling that there is a very strong commitment,” Fabius told reporters shortly before announcing that he was stepping down after nearly four years as foreign minister. His remarks came as Syrian forces, backed by Russia and Iran, were besieging the divided northern city of Aleppo. “There are words, but actions are something else,” said Fabius, whose country is a member of the US-led coalition bombarding the Daesh group in Iraq and Syria. “Obviously, as the Russians and the Iranians sense that, they have understood... and (Syrian President) Bashar Assad is regaining strength,” Fabius said. He said Russian air strikes are targeting “moderate” opposition groups more than Daesh. Agencies