Kouchner: Assad Not Interested in International Tribunal
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Syrian President Bashar Assad has told him he is "not interested in the international tribunal" that would try suspects in the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes.
Kouchner also told the al-Watan al-Arabi weekly that Assad has said "let the United Nations system function."
Kouchner said the international tribunal is "not subject to bargaining … we”ve spoken to Syrian President Bashar Assad and he told us he is not interested in the international tribunal."
"It is better for Syria to adopt an open approach towards the world instead of towards Iran (only)," he added.