French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday said military operation in Syria could not be ruled out to end the crisis in the country, but that it had to be backed by the UN Security Council.
Speaking to the state-run TV channel France 2, Hollande said "the military intervention in Syria is not excluded provided it is done within the rules of international law, which means by a decision of the (UN) Security Council."
He also called for stronger sanctions and stressed the need to talk with Russia and China on the Syrian issue.
"To me, to others, to convince Russia and China and also to find a solution that would not necessarily be military ... as the pressure must be done now to drive out the regime of (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad. We must find another solution," he added.
Hollande has already announced earlier on Tuesday to expel Syrian ambassador to France after the Houla massive killing in Syria, according to local channel BFMTV.
"I can not stay without reaction against what has happened in recent days. Ambassadors have to quit our territories and those of our partners ... and sanctions must be strengthened," he said.
The French president also confirmed that France will host the next meeting of so called Friends of Syria in early July.
