France mulls aid for Syria’s ‘rebel-held’ zones

France plans to send aid to rebel-held areas of Syria with the aim of stemming the outflow of refugees to neighbouring countries.

Paris,will channel the bulk of five million euros to protect civilians in parts of the country controlled by opposition forces.

But French diplomats have given few details on how the money would protect local people or deter them from fleeing.

The plan is unlikely to receive backing,from Russia and China, two veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council.

Protection for “safe havens” would require no-fly zones. Moscow and Beijing remain opposed to any such action.

The ongoing fighting has led humanitarian conditions in Syria to deteriorate. The International Committee of the Red Cross says it is becoming harder to obtain food and other basic goods.

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