Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, second left, prays during funeral prayers for Ahmet Bayram, one of seven Turkish soldiers killed on Saturday in fighting against Syrian Kurdish militiamen, during a funeral ceremony in Hatay, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. The military says Saturday's deaths were related to Turkey's operation against the Syrian Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin, codenamed Olive Branch.
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, second left, prays during funeral prayers for Ahmet Bayram, one of seven Turkish soldiers killed on Saturday in fighting against Syrian Kurdish militiamen, during a funeral ceremony in Hatay, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. The military says Saturday's deaths were related to Turkey's operation against the Syrian Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin, codenamed Olive Branch. Pool Photo via AP)
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, second left, prays during funeral prayers for Ahmet Bayram, one of seven Turkish soldiers killed on Saturday in fighting against Syrian Kurdish militiamen, during a funeral ceremony in Hatay, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. The military says Saturday's deaths were related to Turkey's operation against the Syrian Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin, codenamed Olive Branch. Pool Photo via AP)

France: French, Turkish leaders discuss Syria 'road map'

February 04, 2018 01:14 PM

French officials say President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are talking about working on a "diplomatic road map" for Syria in the "coming weeks."

France's presidency said in a statement on Sunday that the two presidents spoke by telephone Saturday about the security, political and humanitarian situations in Syria — including Turkey's military offensive in the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin.

Eight Turkish soldiers were killed there on Saturday, making it the deadliest day for Turkey since the country launched its operation targeting Kurds Syrian last month.

France's presidency says Turkey and France want to see a political solution under the aegis of the United Nations, and that talks between France and Turkey will "intensify further in the coming days."

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for unlimited digital access to our website, apps, the digital newspaper and more.