Obama: 'We can't lose sight' of progress against Isil

As Barack Obama addressed the G20 summit in Turkey, he reiterated the United State's solidarity with "our French allies", in the wake of the "heinous attacks" that took place in Paris on Friday.

The president said they were a setback back in the fight against Islamic State, but the coalition led by the US was making progress in bringing down the militant group in Syria and Iraq.

"We have always understood that this would be a long-term campaign. There will be setbacks and there will be successes."

"Even as we grieve with our French friends, however, we can't lose sight that there has been progress being made."

Mr Obama said despite some calls some US ground troops in Syria, it is his view that would be a mistake.

"We can retake territory and, as long as we keep our troops there we can hold it, but that does not solve the underlying problem of eliminating the dynamics that are producing these kinds of violent, extremist groups."