French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Wednesday that the lifting of sanctions on Syria and reconstruction aid must be linked to clear political and security commitments from the new government in Damascus, and that the new transitional authorities in Syria will be judged not by words but by deeds over time.

In a speech to parliament, the minister added that France will host a meeting on Syria with Arab, Turkish and Western partners in January.

Barro stressed that Paris was working to reach an agreement between Turkey and the Kurds in north-eastern Syria that would meet the interests of both sides.