Sophia Khatsenkova

France has fervently opposed the free trade agreement between the EU and five South American nations.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier used the controversial Article 49.3 of the French Consitution to force the adoption of next year's social security budget plan. In retaliation, opposition parties from the left and far right are threatening his government with a no-confidence vote.

This is the first time since 1962 that a French government has fallen after a no-confidence vote

This is the first time since 1962 that a French government has fallen after a no-confidence vote

Macron is set to choose a new prime minister after the government lost a no-confidence vote this week.

The French President will meet with multiple party leaders on Monday with the goal of nominating the country's new prime minister in the coming days

FILE: French President Emmanuel Macron meets French centrist party MoDem (Mouvement Democrate) leader Francois Bayrou at the Elysee Palace in Paris, 21 June 2022 Copyright Ludovic Marin/AP Copyright Ludovic Marin/AP Published on 13/12/2024 - 12:51 GMT+1 Share this article Comments Bayrou, de 73 años, fue nombrado nuevo primer ministro después de que el Gobierno de Michel Barnier fuera derrocado por una moción de censura el 4 de diciembre. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share this article Comments Syrians gather in celebration days after the fall of Bashar Assad's government at the Umayyad Square in Damascus, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. Copyright Leo Correa/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved. Copyright Leo Correa/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved. By Emma De Ruiter with AP Published on 13/12/2024 - 12:27 GMT+1 Share this article Comments HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa called on Syrians to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad peacefully in the squares, asking them to refrain from using gunfire. ADVERTISEMENT Syrians gathered in the capital city of Damascus for the first Friday prayers since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's rule nearly a week ago. The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group that captured the capital, joined the prayers and urged people to celebrate peacefully. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, encouraged Syrians to "head to the squares to show their happiness without firing bullets or causing fear." He added, "After this, we will work to rebuild the country and, as I said before, achieve victory with God's help." Thousands are expected to take to the streets following prayers to celebrate the end of Al-Assad's rule. G7 ready to support political transition Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries will hold a virtual meeting on Friday to discuss the political transition in Syria following the recent developments. In a statement released on Thursday, the G7 expressed readiness to support a transition that ensures "credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance." The group urged Syria's new government to uphold the "rule of law, universal human rights — including women's rights — and the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities." They also emphasised the need for "transparency and accountability," pledging to fully back a government that adheres to these principles. Now in control of Damascus, HTS is attempting to soften its image and build ties with Western nations. HTS has its roots in Syria's al-Qaeda branch but has since sought to moderate its rhetoric. Obaida Arnaout, a spokesperson for Syria's interim government, promised on Thursday to institute the "rule of law" and respect "religious and cultural diversity in Syria." Blinken and Erdogan meet in Turkey US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday, focusing on the ongoing fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and Syria's political transition. He also met with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday. Blinken emphasised the need for an inclusive, non-sectarian interim government in Syria that safeguards the rights of women and minorities and ensures no threats to neighbouring countries. “There's broad agreement on what we would like to see going forward,” Blinken said during a joint statement with Fidan. He also stressed the importance of preventing a resurgence of ISIS, highlighting the efforts both countries have made to dismantle the group's territorial control. “Our countries worked very hard and gave a lot over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of ISIS to ensure that that threat doesn't rear its head again,” he said. The meetings also addressed the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza, which Blinken described as showing “more encouraging signs” in recent weeks. As concerns grow over a potential power vacuum in Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, Blinken warned of the risks to regional stability and the chance of ISIS regaining influence. ADVERTISEMENT Later on Friday, Blinken will travel to Jordan for talks with Arab foreign ministers, EU officials, the Arab League, and the United Nations to continue discussions on Syria and broader Middle East stability. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share this article Comments First Friday prayers held in Syria since fall of al-Assad

Bayrou, 73, was named the new prime minister after Michel Barnier's government was toppled by a vote of no confidence on 4 December.

The mayor of the southwestern town of Pau and leader of the centrist MoDem party will have the difficult task of passing France's 2025 budget plan

The mayor of the southwestern town of Pau and leader of the centrist MoDem party will have the difficult task of passing France's 2025 budget plan