French People Back Russia's Anti-ISIL Coalition Proposal – Poll

The people of France are saying 'yes' to the creation of a new international coalition to combat the Islamic State, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.

An opinion poll published by the French newspaper Le Figaro has revealed that the majority of French approve creating a new international coalition alongside Russia to fight Islamic State militants.

More than 48,000 people took part in the poll, and at least 93 percent of the respondents signaled their support for a possible coalition with Russia and Iran to fight the Islamic State.

The survey came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a keynote speech at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

In the speech, Putin, in particular, called for the creation of an  international antiterrorist coalition which would function in accordance with international law, with Muslim countries due to become its key members.

FILE - In this photo taken Monday, June 23, 2014, fighters from the Islamic State group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul, Iraq

© AP Photo

The proposal was endorsed by a whole array of Western experts, including Grant Smith, head of the nonprofit Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy.

Smith said that Russia's approach to resolving the Syrian conflict is more constructive and realistic than Barack Obama's calls to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

His position was echoed by Helena Cobban, Just World Books publisher and veteran Middle East correspondent.

According to her, the Russian authorities have been more successful in understanding the situation in the Middle East, because they adhere to diplomatic norms and geopolitical frameworks rather than military force when it comes to countries such as Syria and Iraq.