Macron pledged "active support of France in the fight against IS which continues to be a menace for collective security," according to the statement.

Members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who defeated IS from their last stronghold in Syria met with Macron to ask for continued support. The members were not named in the statement.

The SDF is made up of primarily Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) militia along with Arabs who were instrumental in defeating IS, handling most of the fighting on the ground.

They are considered key allies with the west, while Turkey calls the Kurdish group a terrorist organization, a Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who has been fighting Turkey for 35 years.

In the statement, Macron stressed that of "the security of Turkey and a de-escalation along the Syrian-Turkish border" was also important.

The Kurds also asked for help from France in "handling of terrorist fighters held as prisoners along with their families."

Macron said that financial support would be forthcoming to "respond to the humanitarian needs and the socio-economic stabilization of civilian populations in Syria."

Reporter’s code: 50101