France ready to see Syria dragged before court: Juppe

(BRUSSELS) - France wants to see the Syrian regime dragged before an international court of justice, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Monday.

Juppe, speaking during a break in talks between EU foreign ministers, said he would plead for legal action during a visit later Monday in Geneva, where he will attend the United Nations Human Rights Council.

"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 said.

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

Juppe said it would be up to the UN Security Council to refer the matter.

"So we will have to continue thinking and gathering elements that would enable a referral," he added.