Sarkozy Calls for Syrian Clarifications on Death of French Journalist

PARIS (NNN-KUNA) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called on the Syrian authorities to clarify the circumstances related to the killing of French journalist Gilles Jacquier of 'France 2' TV network.

In a statement Wednesday, he said: "France expects the Syrian authorities to clarify the circumstances of the murder of the French journalist while he was doing his job."

The president extended condolences to the friend of the late journalist who was accompanying him in his mission in Syria, and also to the head of the French TV channel Remmi Pafimiline.

He hailed the dedication of Jacquier who was "an example of a pioneer journalist" throughout his 25-year career covering events in hot spots all over the world, including Afghanistan, Kosovo and Israel.

"Jacquier was granted a number of awards including 'Albert Londres' Prize in 2003 ... and the prize of the best war correspondent for the year 2010," the statement recalled. He was sent to Syria to cover the violence and the unacceptable repression by the (Syrian President Bashar) al-Assad regime of its own people," it added.

The French Foreign Minister meanwhile strongly condemned the killing of Jacquier, describing it as an "evil action", and called for circumstances of the death to be clarified.

'France 2' channel announced the death of its senior correspondent Gilles Jacquier, aged 43, hit by a mortar shell that struck the pro-government rally he was attending as part of a government-authorized tour of Homs.

The Syrian News Agency (SANA) for its part said: "The Ministry of Information expresses deep regret and sorrow over the death of martyrs from Syria and its guests and condemns this terrorist aggression on the French journalist while performing his press duty."

"The Ministry of Information stresses that the act is an extension of the terror chain Syria is exposed to ... and it comes in the context of the terrorists' bid to distort the real image of what is happening in Syria," SANA said. -- NNN-KUNA