France, Turkey urge Syrian factions to resume talks to end civil war

PARIS—France and Turkey on Thursday called for the resumption of intra-Syrian talks and full implementation of the Munich ceasefire agreement to stop fighting and prepare a political transition in Syria.

During a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Francois Hollande expressed concerns over escalating violence in Aleppo where the continued bombing “aggravates civilians’ suffering”, French presidential office the Elysee said Thursday in a press release.

As continued bombings are faltering hopes to set a fragile peace accord, the French head of state stressed the necessity to implement “a credible political transition process,” the Elysee added.

The two leaders also expressed their determination to jointly combat terrorism mainly after “a heinous attack” which hit Ankara on Wednesday leaving 28 victims, it added.