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Putin: Russia could join air strikes against Islamic State

Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of Russian involvement in the military campaign against the so-called Islamic State (IS) during their meeting on Monday.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the event, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin agreed a political solution to the crisis was necessary, but continue to disagree on the fate of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad.

Obama labeled Assad a "tyrant", but Putin said it would be an "enormous mistake" to refuse to work with the Syrian government.

Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

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Putin: Mistake not to work with Syrian government

Russian president Vladamir Putin addresses UN General Assembly

Russian president Vladamir Putin has said it is an "enormous mistake" to refuse to work with the Syrian government.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Putin said: "We think it is an enormous mistake to refuse to cooperate with the Syrian government and its armed forces who are valiantly fighting terrorism face to face.

"We should finally acknowledge that no one but President Assad's armed forces and (Kurdish) militia are truly fighting the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations in Syria."

He called for the creation of a broader international anti-terrorist coalition including Muslim states as key members.

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