Sarkozy Says No Intervention in Syria without U.N. Resolution

Italy and France called for an end to the "violent repression" against peaceful protests in Syria on Tuesday, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy saying the situation was "unacceptable".

"We issue a strong call on the authorities in Damascus to end the violent repression against what are peaceful demonstrations," Berlusconi said to a news conference following the summit.

"We ask all sides to act with moderation. We renew our request for Syrian authorities to act concretely and immediately on the major reforms that they have announced," he added.

Sarkozy said that any type of foreign military intervention in Syria would have to be supported by a U.N. Security Council resolution.

"It would not be easy to obtain," he said.

"There is no question of doing anything there without a Security Council resolution," Sarkozy added.

"The situation is unacceptable ... You cannot send in tanks and the army to put down protests. This brutality is unacceptable," he said.

"We are with the Arab people in their aspirations for freedom," he added.