France: Air strikes against Isis in Syria 'necessary' says President Hollande

French President Francois Hollande confirmed on 14 September that his country would carry out air strikes against the Islamic State (Isis) group in Syria. The announcement comes following an earlier move by French authorities to carry out surveillance flights over Syria starting 8 September.

President Hollande has so far ruled out the possibility of sending ground troops to Syria referring to the idea as "ineffective and unrealistic".

"We announced surveillance flights that would allow us to prepare air strikes if they were necessary, and they will be necessary in Syria," said President Hollande at a news conference in Paris with his Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, reported France24 News.

"We are part of the coalition in Iraq [against the Islamic State group]."

In the past, France had hesitated participating in air strikes to prevent giving power to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which the French President believes is a major player in the growing migrant crisis emerging from Syria.

Hollande had earlier pledged that his country would welcome 24,000 refugees over the next two years, as part of an EU-wide plan aimed at tackling the growing migrant crisis.

"We have proof that attacks have been planned from Syria against several countries, notably France," said Hollande earlier during a live TV press conference.

"My responsibility is to ensure that we are informed as much as possible on the threats to our country."