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MOSCOW.- French President Francois Hollande told Russia’s Vladimir Putin yesterday world powers must create a “grand coalition” to combat Islamic State militants who control swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.
Hollande is on a diplomatic offensive to build a common front against the militant Islamist group that has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris on November 13 that killed 130 people.
Islamic State has also said it downed a Russian plane on October 31 over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, killing all 224 people on board.
“Our enemy is Daesh, Islamic State, it has territory, an army and resources, so we must create this large coalition to hit these terrorists,” Hollande said in televised remarks at the start of bilateral talks with the Russian leader in the Kremlin.
“I’m in Moscow with you to see how we can act together and coordinate so that we can strike this terrorist group, but also reach a solution for peace,” Hollande said.
Putin said Moscow was ready to unite with Paris against a “mutual enemy” following the downing of the Russian airliner and the attacks in Paris.
Both Russia and France have stepped up their aerial bombing campaigns in Syria, but they have different objectives.
Russian warplanes are targeting a wide array of rebel forces – including but not limited to Islamic State – opposed to Moscow’s ally, Syrian President Bashar al Assad. – Reuters.
Online Reporter