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SYRIa - FRANCE - Russia - Germany

Hollande opens Paris Mosul meet after Merkel, Putin summit

French President François Hollande warned Thursday that fighters from the Islamic State (IS) armed group were already fleeing to the Syrian town of Raqa as Iraqi forces close in on the key city of Mosul. Ahead of a high-level meeting in Paris Thursday, Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the siege of Aleppo.

Aleppo after the bombs
Aleppo after the bombs Reuters/Abdalrhman Ismail
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"We must be exemplary in regards to the pursuit of terrorists who are already leaving Mosul for Raqa," Hollande said as he opened a meeting of delegates from about 20 countries to discuss the future of Iraq's second-biggest city.

He and Merkel had a "very tough" meeting with Putin on Wednesday evening, according to the German chancellor.

More sanctions could be imposed on Moscow over Syria on top of those already in place over Ukraine, the two leaders said.

"Everything that can constitute a threat can be useful," Hollande commented, while Merkel said "We cannot exclude this option."

In language similar to that which led to the cancellation of a visit to Paris by Putin, the French leader described the bombing of Aleppo by the President Bashar al-Assad's regime and Russia as a "war crime", while Merkel called it "inhuman".

Aleppo truce extended

A pause in the bombing to allow civilians and opposition fighters to leave rebel-held areas started on Thursday, Moscow having prolonged it from eight to 11 hours shortly before the three leaders met.

After meeting Hollande and Merkel, Putin said it should last "as long as possible" as long as there is no "intensification of the activity of armed groups in Aleppo".

"We come out of this meeting with the impression that there could be an extension of the truce but it's up to the Syrian regime and Russia to provide the proof," Hollande declared.

EU leaders to meet in Brussels

A European Union summit on Thursday was expected to "strongly condemn" Russia's role in Syria and call for a permanent end to hostilities.

The 28 EU leaders were to discuss their long-term Russian policy over dinner, touching not only on Syria but also Ukraine.

Despite calls from Washington, London and Berlin, they were not expected to endorse new sanctions, with countries like Italy and Greece concerned about the effect sanctions have already had on trade.

Renewing sanctions for a further six months are due to be discussed at a summit in December.

 

 

 

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