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Kerry in Turkey to boost support for anti-IS coalition US opposes Iran role in coalition against Islamic State
(about 3 hours later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry is pressing Turkish leaders in Ankara to support more military action against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. US Secretary of State John Kerry has said it would be inappropriate for Iran to join a coalition that is seeking to fight Islamic State (IS) militants.
The visit comes after Turkey refused to allow the use of its air bases to launch attacks on the jihadist group. Speaking on a visit to Turkey, Mr Kerry said he was confident the US could build a broad international coalition, of European and Arab countries.
French President Francois Hollande, in Baghdad, has vowed to step up support for Iraq in its battle against IS. Both Iran and the US have offered military aid to hold back an IS advance across northern and western Iraq.
US President Barack Obama unveiled plans this week to expand its campaign against IS in the region. But the US has clashed with Iran on its nuclear programme and policy in Syria.
Earlier this week, US President Barack Obama unveiled plans for an expansion of the campaign against IS in the region.
Ten Arab nations have agreed to help the US in its fight against the group, which the CIA says may have up to 31,000 fighters on the ground.Ten Arab nations have agreed to help the US in its fight against the group, which the CIA says may have up to 31,000 fighters on the ground.
France has also offered its support for military action against IS, as part of a coalition being formed by Washington.France has also offered its support for military action against IS, as part of a coalition being formed by Washington.
"The goal is to co-ordinate aid, support and action for the unity of Iraq and against this terrorist group," President Hollande told reporters at the start of a one-day visit to Iraq. Paris is expected to host international talks on the campaign on Monday.
He said he had assured Iraqi President Fuad Masum of "France's support and solidarity" with the new Iraqi government, which was announced earlier this week. At a press conference in Ankara on Friday, Mr Kerry said he had not formally been asked to discuss "the presence of Iran" at the Paris conference.
The French president was also due to visit Irbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, to distribute humanitarian aid later on Friday. "But I think under the circumstances at this moment in time... it would not be appropriate given the many other issues... with respect to their engagement in Syria and elsewhere," he said.
Iran has backed the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, while the US and several European and Gulf countries have supported the rebel factions fighting to overthrow him.
The US and Western countries are also in talks with Iran over its nuclear programme, which they fear could be used to develop a bomb, allegations Iran has strenuously denied.
Turkey fearsTurkey fears
On Friday Mr Kerry had talks in Ankara with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in an effort to secure more co-operation from the Turkish government. On Friday, Mr Kerry held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in an effort to secure more co-operation from the Turkish government in the fight against IS.
Afterwards Mr Erdogan's office said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency: "The two countries will continue to fight against the terrorist organisations in the regions as in the past." Turkey has refused to allow the use of its air bases to launch attacks on the jihadist group.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Irbil says one reason is that Turkey fears for the lives of nearly 50 Turkish hostages held by the militants, including staff from the consulate in Mosul.
After the meeting, Mr Erdogan's office said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency: "The two countries will continue to fight against the terrorist organisations in the regions as in the past."
It added that Turkey would continue to share intelligence with the US and provide logistical support to the Syrian opposition, as well as humanitarian aid to Syrians affected by the conflict.It added that Turkey would continue to share intelligence with the US and provide logistical support to the Syrian opposition, as well as humanitarian aid to Syrians affected by the conflict.
On Thursday Mr Kerry met representatives from 10 Arab nations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, who said in a communique that they "agreed to do their share in the comprehensive fight" against IS.On Thursday Mr Kerry met representatives from 10 Arab nations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, who said in a communique that they "agreed to do their share in the comprehensive fight" against IS.
Nato member Turkey was also at the Jeddah meeting, but did not sign the statement. A Pentagon spokesman said Washington was preparing a more "aggressive" air campaign, with some of the aircraft taking off from the air base at Irbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan.
A Pentagon spokesman said Washington was preparing a more "aggressive" air campaign, with some of the aircraft taking off from the air base at Irbil. President Obama on Wednesday said for the first time that he had also authorised air strikes against IS in Syria.
One reason for that, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Arbil, is that the Turkish government has refused to allow such missions to be flown from bases in southern Turkey. It fears for the lives of nearly 50 Turkish hostages held by the militants, including staff from the consulate in Mosul, our correspondent adds.
Syrian government airstrikes
France is due to host an international conference on Monday, in which regional and international powers will seek to co-ordinate support for Iraq in its battle against IS.
Mr Kerry earlier announced an aid package worth nearly $500m for people and countries hit by the Syrian conflict, $250m of which will be allocated for refugees hosted in neighbouring countries.
It follows reports that dozens of people were killed in Syrian government air raids on the rebel stronghold of Douma, north-east of the Syrian capital Damascus, on Thursday.
"The toll from regime air raids on Douma has risen to 42 dead, including seven children and two women," the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Government airstrikes also hit a market in a town south-east of Aleppo, in northern Syria, killing 11 people, in an attack on IS, the observatory added.
President Obama on Wednesday said for the first time that he authorised air strikes against IS in Syria.
In recent months IS has expanded from its stronghold in eastern Syria and seized control of more towns, cities, army bases and weaponry in Iraq.In recent months IS has expanded from its stronghold in eastern Syria and seized control of more towns, cities, army bases and weaponry in Iraq.
The US has already carried out more than 150 air strikes in northern Iraq. It has also sent hundreds of military advisers to assist Iraqi government and Kurdish forces, but has ruled out sending ground troops.The US has already carried out more than 150 air strikes in northern Iraq. It has also sent hundreds of military advisers to assist Iraqi government and Kurdish forces, but has ruled out sending ground troops.
Other countries, including the UK, have contributed humanitarian assistance to Iraqis displaced by the militants' advance.