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France 'considering' air strikes against IS group in Syria

Le Monde quotes unnamed 'high-level source' saying that migrant crisis means 'things cannot continue as they are' in relation to Syria.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

France is considering launching air strikes against the Islamic State armed group in Syria, Le Monde reported Saturday. The French newspaper quoted an unnamed "high level source", reports RFI.

The crisis of refugees fleeing civil war in Syria would explain this change in strategy, Le Monde said.

"Everybody realises that things can not continue as they are," it quoted the source as saying.

Since September 2014, France has been engaged in an international coalition supporting groups fighting against Islamic State militants, but until now has refused to intervene militarily in Syria.

Government officials declined to comment on Le Monde’s report, saying President François Hollande would express his views on the matter at a news conference on Monday.

On Thursday, Hollande called for a "political solution" in Syria.

Read more of this report from RFI.