Newsmakers

Syrian envoy says she was impersonated

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-06-08 17:02

PARIS?- Syria's ambassador to France says someone impersonated her and announced her resignation on French television.

The news network France 24 aired a telephone interview Tuesday with a woman who said she was ambassador Lamia Shakkour. The woman said she was quitting amid a government crackdown on protesters in Syria.

Shakkour later spoke by telephone to Syrian state television and denied having quit.

She appeared on camera for the first time on France's BFM television early Wednesday and said, "I am completely surprised." She accused France 24 of "impersonating the Syrian ambassador."

Shakkour said on BFM that she will sue France 24. The French channel says it called a cell number it has used previously for the ambassador and she agreed to join a debate show, then abruptly announced her resignation.