French defence minister says does not exclude Syrian air strikes
France's possible participation in air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria is "on the table", Defence Minister said on Thursday, hours after President Francois Hollande ruled out such strikes.
France has joined the coalition bombing of Islamic State targets in Iraq on the basis it was asked for help by Baghdad, but has refrained from doing so in Syria, instead supporting the moderate opposition against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
But Le Drian told RTL Radio when asked about the possibility France might join raids in Syria: "The opportunity is not there today. We already have an important task in Iraq and we will see in the coming days how the situation evolves."
Pressed further on whether it was a possibility in future, Le Drian - who is taking part in a war cabinet meeting with Hollande on Thursday - said: "The question is on the table".
