France commends the release of Riad al-Turk

France yesterday described the release of the Syrian opposition member Riad al-Turk as a "positive signal" from the side of Syria.

The assistant for the spokesman of the French foreign ministry Bernard Valero said "we have learnt about the release of Riad al-Turk on Saturday in Damascus. he was sentenced in June of two and a half years imprisonment." He added "we expressed our satisfaction over his release. A matter which France has ever called for. This decision constitutes a positive signal from Syria with whom we have a permanent dialogue at the highest level. This eventually encourages us to continue this way."

Worthy mentioning that President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday issued a pardon to the opposition communist leader for "humanitarian motives." Al-Turk was arrested in September 2001. Earlier he was jailed for 18 years between 1980- 1998.