Assad cannot be part of Syria solution, says German foreign minister

The Syrian war needs a negotiated solution among all powers, Germany's foreign minister said on Monday, but added that he could not imagine anyone who used chemical weapons to be part of that process.

Heiko Maas was responding to reporters' questions about whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would have a political future in the country. 

"There will be a solution involving everyone who has influence on the region," he said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

"Nobody can imagine someone who uses chemical weapons against his own people to be part of this solution," he added.

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On Saturday, German chancellor Angela Merkel backed airstrikes on three chemical weapons facilities in Syria and called them "necessary and appropriate". Earlier in the week, Germany said it would not participate in any airstrikes against the Syrian regime.

The stronger tone is a sharp break for Germany, which typically avoids backing military intervention on the global stage. 

On Sunday, Maas said Germany would work with the US, UK and France to discuss next steps following Saturday's airstrikes against chemical weapons facilities in Syria. 

Maas has singled out Russia for routinely blocking UN efforts to investigate suspected chemical weapons attacks. However, the foreign minister also said the Kremlin would be instrumental in securing a political settlement. 

"Whether we like it or not, without Russia, the political process will not succeed," Maas said. 

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