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IS conflict: France launches air strikes in Syria IS conflict: France launches air strikes in Syria
(about 1 hour later)
France has carried out its first air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria.France has carried out its first air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria.
French planes destroyed a training camp in the eastern town of Deir al-Zour, President Francois Hollande said.French planes destroyed a training camp in the eastern town of Deir al-Zour, President Francois Hollande said.
A US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq for more than a year.A US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq for more than a year.
Speaking in New York, Mr Hollande said a political solution was needed to end the Syrian war, but President Bashar al-Assad could not be part of it. Speaking in New York, Mr Hollande said a political solution was needed to end the Syrian crisis, but President Bashar al-Assad could not be part of it.
France, like the UK, has previously confined its air strikes against the Islamic State group to Iraqi airspace.France, like the UK, has previously confined its air strikes against the Islamic State group to Iraqi airspace.
The UK announced earlier this month it had carried out a drone strike against two British citizens in Syria but has yet to fly manned operations in Syrian airspace.The UK announced earlier this month it had carried out a drone strike against two British citizens in Syria but has yet to fly manned operations in Syrian airspace.
Analysis: Hugh Scholfield, BBC News, Paris Analysis: Hugh Schofield, BBC News, Paris
The French air strikes in Syria reflect the shifting emphasis in the war against the Islamic State. Before now, France said that international law prevented it from attacking targets in Syria, and it was adamant that it would do nothing to help - even indirectly - the Assad government.The French air strikes in Syria reflect the shifting emphasis in the war against the Islamic State. Before now, France said that international law prevented it from attacking targets in Syria, and it was adamant that it would do nothing to help - even indirectly - the Assad government.
But the situation has changed. France now says it has evidence that IS planned terror attacks against it from Syria - making air strikes against the militants legitimate under UN rules on self-defence.But the situation has changed. France now says it has evidence that IS planned terror attacks against it from Syria - making air strikes against the militants legitimate under UN rules on self-defence.
The biggest change though is that France has swallowed hard and accepted that getting rid of Mr Assad is no longer the priority.The biggest change though is that France has swallowed hard and accepted that getting rid of Mr Assad is no longer the priority.
Paris will not ever say it too loudly - because it used to be the Syrian president's most outspoken opponent - but at the moment the fight against IS trumps everything else.Paris will not ever say it too loudly - because it used to be the Syrian president's most outspoken opponent - but at the moment the fight against IS trumps everything else.
Diplomatic goals behind Putin's Syria build-upDiplomatic goals behind Putin's Syria build-up
Migrant crisis: Fleeing life under Islamic State in SyriaMigrant crisis: Fleeing life under Islamic State in Syria
Syria's civil war explainedSyria's civil war explained
The battle for Syria and Iraq in mapsThe battle for Syria and Iraq in maps
Assad's positionAssad's position
More than 200,000 Syrians have been killed since the country erupted into civil war in 2011. Mr Assad has been accused of killing tens of thousands of his own citizens with indiscriminate bombing in rebel-held areas. More than 200,000 Syrians have been killed since the country erupted into civil war in 2011, and Islamic State took control of swathes of the country in 2014. Mr Assad has been accused of killing tens of thousands of his own citizens with indiscriminate bombing in rebel-held areas.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron - along with US President Barack Obama and Mr Hollande - has previously demanded that Mr Assad be removed from power as a condition of any peace deal, but he is expected to soften that position this week.
Mr Assad has a staunch ally in Russian President Vladimir Putin. In order to secure Russia's support in the fight against IS, Mr Cameron is expected to tell the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York that Mr Assad could remain temporarily in power at the head of a transitional government.
European leaders gathering at the UN are intensifying calls for a diplomatic push in Syria in the wake of a massive influx of refugees heading for Europe.European leaders gathering at the UN are intensifying calls for a diplomatic push in Syria in the wake of a massive influx of refugees heading for Europe.
Approximately four million Syrians have fled abroad so far - the vast majority are in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan - and more are on the move.Approximately four million Syrians have fled abroad so far - the vast majority are in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan - and more are on the move.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron - along with US President Barack Obama and Mr Hollande - has previously demanded that Mr Assad be removed from power as a condition of any peace deal, a position consistently rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In order to secure Russia's continued support, Mr Cameron is expected to soften that position this week by telling the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York that Mr Assad could remain temporarily in power at the head of a transitional government.
The urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict has also been reinforced by Russian military build-up in Syria in support of Mr Assad's regime.The urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict has also been reinforced by Russian military build-up in Syria in support of Mr Assad's regime.
And in an apparent further boost to Mr Assad's position, Iraq on Sunday announced that it had signed an agreement on security and intelligence co-operation with with Russia, Iran and Syria to help combat IS.And in an apparent further boost to Mr Assad's position, Iraq on Sunday announced that it had signed an agreement on security and intelligence co-operation with with Russia, Iran and Syria to help combat IS.
Reiterating his support for President Assad, Mr Putin said Russia was co-operating with countries in the region, "trying to establish some sort of co-ordinating structure".
In an interview with CBS television, he said Mr Assad's troops - "the only legitimate conventional army there" - were fighting terrorist organisations and Russia "would be pleased to find common ground for joint action against the terrorists".