Biden: more support needed to repel IS from Turkish border
Vice President Joe Biden
ISTANBUL (AP) - ISTANBUL (AP) — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden says Turkey and the United States agree on the need to increase support for Sunni Arab forces in Syria to cut off the Islamic State group's access to the Turkish border.
Speaking during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Biden says cutting off that access is "a priority for both of our nations, so that we can prevent new fighters and equipment from reaching ISIL and conducting attacks against civilians."
He is also expected to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, capping a two-day visit to Istanbul.
The vice president also offered his condolences over a Jan. 12 terror attack that killed 12 German tourists in Istanbul. Turkish authorities say the suicide bomber was affiliated with the Islamic State group.