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"In Syria, what is the objective? First, to strike Daesh," Fabius told French lawmakers, using the Arabic acronym of the militant group, when asked what France was doing in Syria, Reuters said.

"Secondly, obtain the end of the dynamite bombardments by Bashar al-Assad of the civilian population and a resolution will be put forward in this sense. Thirdly, there isn't just military action, but obviously political action to plead and act for a political transition," he said, describing Assad as the "executioner" of the Syrian people.

The resolution has little chance of clearing the Security Council, where Assad's staunch ally Russia has often blocked efforts to condemn him and his government, but could be seen as an alternative to a Russian resolution currently being circulated at the world body.

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Western diplomats have said a resolution demanding an end to barrel bombing – something that France has previously been spearheading with Spain – would be helpful as it would emphasize the Syrian government's continued use of such weapons, in clear violation of international law.