France Says Time has Come to Increase Sanctions against Syria

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Friday that the "time has come to increase sanctions" against the Syrian regime.

"The situation is no longer sustainable," and "the ongoing repression is unacceptable," Juppe told reporters during a visit to Ankara.

"It is not normal that the (U.N.) Security Council has not made any decision so far," said Juppe. "I hope those blocking any resolution will be aware of the reality of the situation."

He said that "it is now too late" for the Syrian regime, which failed to implement necessary reforms.

"We believe that the (Syrian) regime was not willing to implement a reform program and now it is too late," Juppe said Friday after a meeting with the Turkish parliament's foreign relations committee head, Volkan Bozkir.

On Wednesday, France announced it has recalled its ambassador to Syria after its diplomatic missions there were attacked amid ongoing protests against the Assad regime.

Juppe said both France and Turkey had an "overlapping approach" concerning the Syrian crisis.

Asked if Turkey sharing a 910-kilometer border with Syria should establish a buffer-zone to protect civilians, an idea floated by the Syrian opposition, Juppe said: "It is up to Turkey but we think that such a measure should be decided in accordance with the international community."

The U.N. Security Council is the only body empowered to impose binding measures, he added.