(Zaman Al Wasl- Anadolu News) - French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that he supports the idea of his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to create a no-fly zone and safe haven on the border between Turkey and Syria in order to accommodate refugees.
The two presidents have had telephone discussions about the "alarming" situation in northern Syria, especially in the city of Kobani, according to a statement released by the Elysée.
"The President has stressed the need to stop the massacre of the people in northern Syria. He said that the no-fly zone and safe haven would welcome and protect displaced persons."
Hollande and Erdogan also agreed on the necessity of providing aid to the moderate Syrian opposition fighting against both ISIL and against the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Meanwhile, the two presidents also emphasized the importance of establishing an inclusive government in Iraq and the professional restructuring of the Iraqi army, as ISIL militants gain grounds in the country, Turkish presidential sources also said.
Zaman al-Wasl reporter in Ankara said Turkey decided to not involve its military against ISIS unless the no-fly zone becomes a 'fait accompli to protect civilians from attacks by Bashar al-Assad's air forces, quoting reliable source.
Turkey is eager to re-focus the world's attention on removing Assad's regime from power, according to AP.
Previously Turkey had been coy about whether it would contribute to the coalition, citing the safety of 49 people who had been kidnapped by the militants from the Turkish Consulate in Mosul, Iraq, in June. But the hostages were freed last weekend, prompting the U.S. to press Turkey to contribute to the coalition.
A US-led airstrike campaign was launched against ISIL targets in Iraq on August 9, with the support of France, the U.K. and Belgium, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
More than 170,000 people have crossed into Turkey from Kobani since the relentless advance of the militant group which controls large parts in Syria and Iraq.
ISIL is now said to be at the point of occupying Kobani.
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