France's Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Juppe (3rd R) gives a speech during the first meeting of the international working group on sanctions against the Syrian problem in Paris, France, April 17,2012. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

　　France calls for stronger sanctions against Syria

　　PARIS, April 17 (Xinhua) -- French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe on Tuesday pledged to exert stronger pressure on Syria through "tougher penalties" to ensure the end of the country's lingering violence.

　　"We must maintain pressure on the Syrian regime. That means strengthening sanctions that are having an impact on Syrian authorities," Juppe said in the opening speech at the first meeting of the International Working Group on Sanctions against Syria. Full story