Merkel Urges Political Solution to the Syrian Conflict

The German chancellor underscored the importance of a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday that military action in the Syrian conflict was necessary but political efforts from Russia and several other countries were also essential.

"We will need military efforts [in Syria], but military efforts will not bring a solution, we need a political process. Russia and the United States can play an important role, and also Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as Germany, France, Great Britain," Merkel told the German broadcaster Deutschlandradio in an interview aired Sunday.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011. The country’s government is fighting a number of opposition forces, as well as radical Islamist militant organizations, including the Nusra Front and the Islamic State.

Russia, Syria, Iran and Iraq agreed last week to cooperate on security and intelligence sharing in Syria and established an information center in Baghdad to coordinate efforts in the fight against ISIL extremist group.

On Wednesday, Russia launched airstrikes on ISIL positions in Syria at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. According to the Kremlin, Russia intends to use only the country's air force in its operations against ISIL militants in Syria and will not deploy ground troops.