France issues arrest warrant for Bashar al-Assad

France has issued an arrest warrant for former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as reported by France24.

The warrant also targets six additional former officials from Assad's administration. Paris accuses them of involvement in the deaths of American journalist Marie Colvin and French journalist Rémi Ochlik during the 2012 Homs bombing.

France considers the journalists' deaths war crimes and seeks the arrest of Assad's brother, Maher al-Assad, in connection with the case.

In December last year, opposition forces took control of Damascus, prompting the resignation of Assad's government. The former leader subsequently received asylum in Russia.