© AFP 2018 / Daphné BENOIT
"This issue is currently being discussed," the ambassador said, when asked if France would stay in Syria.
US President Donald Trump announced in mid-December that the US troops would withdraw from Syria.
"Yes, like everyone, we were surprised when the United States said it was withdrawing its troops from Syria. From that moment on, we have been in constant contact with the US leadership, but France has also assumed certain responsibilities as part of the coalition. What we find somewhat reassuring is that this is about a gradual, planned troop pullout," the ambassador added.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron said that France would continue being militarily engaged in the Middle East in the international coalition throughout 2019 as, according to the president, the battle against Daesh was not over. The statement came a day after a suicide bombing claimed by Daesh militants killed at least 16 people, including two US service members.
On Possible French-Russian Competition in CAR
Russia and France are complementing each other, not competing, in the Central African Republic (CAR), French Ambassador in Russia Sylvie Bermann told Sputnik.
"Russia has recently also resumed its activities in Africa, in particular in the Central African Republic, where we are also present. Russia is cooperating with other African countries as well. I think it is very good that African countries have many different partners. This is not a competition, this is about complementing [one another]," the ambassador said.
Bermann added that it "would be good if Russia coordinated with the UN and other international organizations and, of course, with us."
Last week, a peace agreement between the authorities and armed groups of the Central African Republic (CAR), reached in Sudan's capital of Khartoum, was signed in Bangui by all the participants in the peace talks.
Comment: The U.S. withdrawal is happening, so it's hard to see what the French think they can do on their own. They'll likely leave as well. That doesn't mean they'll be happy about it, though.
See also: The Syria withdrawal is happening: Trump's 'eye-to-eye' orders to US generals