AKIPRESS.COM - France will launch surveillance flights over Syria with a view to conducting airstrikes on Islamic State (IS) positions, the French president says.

Francois Hollande made the announcement saying he had instructed the defence ministry to begin the operation on Tuesday (local time).

"What we want is to know what is being prepared against us and what is being done against the Syrian population," he said.

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 it also risked being "transformed into an occupation force". "So we won't do it ... 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," Mr Hollande said.

France has so far only carried out airstrikes against IS in neighbouring Iraq. Mr Hollande said the French military had so far conducted 200 strikes in Iraq.

Britain is also thought to be considering military strikes in Syria, with prime minister David Cameron trying to organise a new parliamentary vote on the issue in the coming weeks.

British MPs rejected such action two years ago, in a decision that embarrassed Mr Cameron and drew criticism from the United States.

The Australian Government is expected to authorise air strikes in Syria this week.

In an interview with The Guardian, UN security-general Ban Ki-moon said the UN security council had failed Syria because of power divisions which had prevented moves to end the conflict in Syria.