Middle East - Syria: US opposes Western reconstruction of Syria, blames Russia - by Nikolaj Nielsen

The United States has said it will ensure no one contributes to reconstructing war-torn Syria - aside from those who helped destroy it.

"We are not going to put it back together and we are going to do everything we can, and believe me that is a lot, to ensure nobody else does," US state department official on Syria, James F Jeffrey, told reporters in Brussels and on Tuesday (30 October).

Note EU-Digest: What a ridiculous inhumane declaration by the US. State Department, since they and all their NATO partners, in addition to Russia, Israel and Iran,  have participated in ground and air-force operations on and above Syrian territory. This has caused not only enormous damage to the Syrian infrastructure, but also caused close to half a million civilian death.

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France's Macron calls for 'historic reconstruction' of Europe

 France's new president, Emmanuel Macron, has called for a "historic reconstruction" of Europe, saying it is "the only reaction" to fight populism.

Speaking in Berlin on the first full day of his presidency, he was joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

She said the pair had a "joint conviction" that they needed to "deepen the European Union".

Both said they would work together more closely on defense, eurozone reform and reducing bureaucracy.

She also made her most positive comments yet about eurozone reforms mooted by Mr Macron, saying it may be possible to change EU treaties as would be required to enact them.

"From the German point of view, it's possible to change the treaty if it makes sense," she said. "I would be ready to do this, but first we will work on what we want to reform."

Read more: France's Macron calls for 'historic reconstruction' of Europe - BBC News