France says it will only participate in military action in Syria under a United Nations mandate.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told an Asian security summit Sunday that the international community should increase sanctions and pressure in an effort to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad.

An anti-government uprising has raged for more than a year in Syria.

US Senator John McCain on Saturday urged the Obama Administration to arm Syrian rebels and create safe zones. Russia is an ally of Assad and has squashed attempts at UN action in Syria.

Le Drian said that a meeting Friday between French President Francois Hollande and Russian President Vladimir Putin "doesn't make it possible to
think the veto will be lifted tomorrow morning."

[AP]