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France will launch surveillance flights over Islamic State group positions in Syria from Tuesday, President Francois Hollande said on Monday.
"I have asked the defence ministry that from tomorrow surveillance flights can be launched over Syria, allowing us to plan airstrikes against Daesh (the Islamic State group)," Hollande told a press conference in Paris.
He also confirmed that France would not send ground troops into the country.
"I consider it would be inconsequential and unrealistic to send French troops into Syria on the ground," he said.
Adding: "Unrealistic because we would be the only ones. Insignificant because it would be transformed into an occupation force, so we won't do it."
