Alain Juppe: "The Syrian people are deeply divided & if we give arms to a certain faction of the Syrian opposition, we would make a civil war!"

Can't say that he did not try, here & here! 

"... "The Syrian people are deeply divided, and if we give arms to a certain faction of the Syrian opposition, we would make a civil war among Christians, Alawites, Sunnis and Shiites," French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on France-Culture radio Thursday.

France, Syria's former colonial ruler, is backing the opposition against Assad and pushing for Assad's departure. Juppe says arming the opposition could lead to "a catastrophe even larger than the one that exists today."

The comments echoed those from President Barack Obama in Washington on Wednesday, who warned of an international response that could lead to more deaths.... 

After two significant defeats at the hands of Syrian government troops, the country's rebel forces are low on cash and running out of weapons....

Juppe also expressed frustration at Russia's continued support for Assad, while acknowledging that it's in part linked to Russia's anger at the international military campaign in Libya.

"Russia ... considers we went too far," Juppe said. "They are asking us ... to pay for the Libya operation."..."