PARIS: French President Francois Hollande said on Friday that no solution is possible in Syria without “the departure of Bashar al-Assad”, speaking at a press conference with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

“There must be sanctions” against the Syrian regime, Hollande added, noting that he recognised “the risks of destabilisation, the risks of civil war” in Syria.

“Bashar al-Assad's regime has conducted itself in an unacceptable and intolerable manner. It has committed acts that disqualify itself” from governing, Hollande said.

He said Assad's departure was “a prerequisite for a political transition” in Syria.