France concerned over fighting among Syrian groups

French authorities expressed concern on Thursday about the increase in clashes and fighting between certain opposition groups involved in the conflict in Syria and in efforts to oust Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. "We are concerned by the mounting violence between extremist groups and other groups among the armed opposition," the French Foreign Ministry said in answer to questions at a briefing. The questions related specifically to major clashes between Kurdish forces in northern Syria and Al-Nusra Front fighters, who were apparently driven out by the Kurds. Paris said that "radical groups" are negatively affecting the evolution of the conflict in Syria and also in neighboring countries because they represent "a worrying threat" that is weighing on the situation. The French authorities said that their position concerning radical groups involved in Syria was well known. "Faced with these groups, the position of France has been clear and constant. We have asked for the Al-Nusra (Front) group to be registered on the United Nations list of terrorist entities as an alias for Al-Qaida," French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Philippe Lalliot said. Given the nature of the radical groups, France said it was ever more important to support the so-called "moderate" opposition military forces, headed by Selim Idriss. "In this context, it is even more necessary to increase our support for the moderate, opposition forces, represented by the Syrian National Coalition and the Free Syrian Army, which respect the value we defend," Lalliot noted.