UPDATE -Turkish president expresses gratitude to French counterpart for solidarity over deadly quakes

UPDATES WITH FRENCH PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

By Faruk Zorlu

ADANA, Türkiye (AA) - In a video conference Friday, the Turkish president expressed gratitude to his French counterpart for his solidarity with Türkiye concerning the devastating Feb. 6 earthquakes that hit the southern region.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan "thanked Emmanuel Macron for France’s solidarity and support" with Türkiye over the quakes, according to the Turkish presidency, while Macron conveyed his condolences.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed relations between Türkiye and France, said the presidency.

"We have just spoken with President Erdogan about the conflict in Ukraine," Macron later wrote in a tweet.

"Within hours of the earthquake in Turkey, our civil security forces were taking part in rescue efforts," he said in another post.

"In Golbasi, our field hospital is treating 100 injured people each day," Macron added, referring to a district of the Turkish capital, Ankara.

"I have reiterated to President Erdoğan our full solidarity and support."

The French president touched on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

"We must further intensify our support for Ukraine so that it can achieve victory. We must also continue to increase pressure on Russia, urging it to cease its aggression," he wrote.

The 7.7- and 7.6-magnitude quakes, which were centered in Kahramanmaras, struck 10 other provinces. About 13.5 million people have been affected.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the earthquakes that struck in the space of fewer than 10 hours. Condolences have poured in from around the world expressing solidarity with Türkiye, with many countries sending rescue teams and aid.

At least 43,556 people have been killed by the quakes, according to the latest figures.