France: UN Backing Needed for Syria Action France's foreign minister says any action the international community takes regarding Syria must have U.N. authorization. Laurent Fabius also said after meeting his German counterpart Monday that no "durable solution" is possible while Syrian President Bashar Assad remains in power. But, he says "I believe the Syrian regime will end up falling under the weight of its crimes." Fabius did not comment directly when asked if France differs from Germany on whether military force should be used, but stressed that "the central point is that all action that is taken can only be taken within the framework of the United Nations." Germany opposes the use of military, but has been pushing for Russia to support U.N. Security Council sanctions after vetoing resolutions twice.