Bernard-Henri Levy, the flamboyant French philosopher who was influential in former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's support for intervention in Libya last year, has called for similar action in Syria.

In an open letter to President François Hollande, he called for measures, including a no-flight zone, to confront President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

"Will France do for Houla and Homs what she has done for Benghazi and Misrata?" he asked.

<blockquote>I know, Mr. President, that you have other urgent matters, another agenda, commitments you have made and that you must keep.

"But what was most urgent - to go to Afghanistan and prepare the anticipated retreat of our troops or to take the initiative in Syria?

"What is the most important - to announce the reduction of your ministers' salaries and the freezing of gas prices or to introduce a resolution, at the Security Council, authorizing the bombardment of those tanks stationed on the outskirts of the cities, ready to fire?