French, German leaders discuss Idlib situation with Turkish President Erdogan

PARIS, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a conference call Friday with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the situation in Idlib Province, Syria, and to exchange on the recent developments in Libya, Macron's office said.
On Idlib, and the worsening situation, Macron and Merkel expressed "their common concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in which the civilian population finds itself." The also expressed fear of an escalation as Turkish reinforcements pour into the area and are clashing on occasion with Syrian government forces.
Around 900,000 civilians have been forced to take to the road to flee the ongoing fighting between Syrian forces and rebels in Idlib.
The French and German leaders urged Erdogan to meet quickly with them and with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who supports the Syrian government.
Macron and Merkel called Putin on Thursday in a conference call to urge him, too, to agree to a four-way meeting on Idlib. (end) jk.ibi