Paris Says Syria Arab Mission Still Crucial despite Resignations

France said on Thursday it respected the decision of some Arab League observers to resign from the Syria monitoring mission but said it remained crucial to ending repression.

Arab League officials confirmed that two monitors had quit the mission, including an Algerian who accused the Syrian regime of duping his colleagues.

"We have noted these resignations and their motives. We respect each person's choice," the French foreign ministry's deputy spokesman, Romain Nadal, told a press conference.

"More than ever, the international community needs the Arab League's involvement and commitment to end the repression in Syria, which has already seen too many victims," Nadal added.

He said the submission of the Arab League's report on January 19 would be "a key moment" that would "allow the international community to judge the situation in Syria and the regime's application of the peace plan.

"Its credibility is therefore crucial for the region's future," he said.

Earlier this week Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi warned that the mission launched on December 26 to monitor the Syrian regime's crackdown on protesters could be suspended, after three observers were hurt in an attack.