Syria Crisis: Turkey's Erdogan rejects French mediation offer

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Turkey's president says his troops are preparing to clear Kurdish fighters from the entire Syrian border area - even into northern Iraq. Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey won't allow the Kurds to, quote, "roam free" along the border. He is also rejecting fellow NATO member France's offer to act as a mediator. Michal Bardavid reports.

MICHAL BARDAVID ISTANBUL "On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron's office announced France was ready to mediate between Turkey and the Syrian Kurdish group YPG which Turkey launched an offensive against in January in Syria's Afrin.

The offer was not only unacceptable-but, rather an insult to Ankara. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made this very clear with an immediate harsh reaction. Erdogan emphasized Turkey would not negotiate with a group it considers a terrorist organization. He stated Macron took a "wrong approach" and that he was saddened by this offer. Let's listen to a warning made by Erdogan."

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN TURKISH PRESIDENT "After this stance, France has lost its right to complain about any terrorist, any terrorist organization and terror act. Those who are living with terrorists and even host them in their palace, will realise their mistake sooner or later. Those who shamelessly support terrorists must be ready to explain the outcomes to their public."

Erdogan also stated Turkey still has plans to progress into Manbij once Afrin is completed. Meanwhile, Macron had stated his opposition of Turkey carrying out an operation in Manbij and has been assuring Kurdish forces they would be supported by France in their fight against ISIL in Syria.

Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Istanbul.