France to prepare air strikes against ISIL in Syria: Hollande

France will launch surveillance flights over Syria from Sept.8 with a view to conducting airstrikes on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) positions, President Francois Hollande said on Sept.7.

"I have asked the defence ministry that from tomorrow surveillance flights can be launched over Syria, allowing us to plan airstrikes against Daesh [ISIL]," Hollande told a press conference in Paris.
 
"What we want is to know what is being prepared against us and what is being done against the Syrian population," he added.
 
He also confirmed that France would not send ground troops into the country, saying it would be "inconsequential and unrealistic."  

He said it was unrealistic "because we would be the only ones" and also risked being "transformed into an occupation force".
 
"So we won't do it," he said. "It's for regional forces to take their responsibilities. France, however, will work to find political solutions."  

He said that finding a political transition that sidelined Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was "essential".    

"The transition is an essential point. Nothing must be done that can consolidate or maintain Bashar al-Assad," he said.
         
Hollande's comments come at a time of growing concern in the West over reports that Russia is toughening its military stance in Syria.    

Moscow has been a bulwark of military and diplomatic support to the Assad regime, and is promoting an expanded coalition against ISIL that includes countries in the region as well as the regular Syrian army.
 
The United States government expressed concern on Sept.5 over reports of "an imminent enhanced Russian buildup" in Syria.
 
Secretary of State John Kerry "made...