"In the current situation it would be helpful, if there could be such an area, where none of the parties are allowed to launch aerial attacks, that is to say, a kind of no-fly zone," she told the daily Stuttgarter Zeitung, when asked about opening up such areas to host people fleeing fighting in the war-torn country.
She acknowledged that it was impossible to negotiate with "terrorists from the Islamic State", "but if it`s possible for the anti-Assad coalition and the Assad-supporters to come to an agreement, that would be helpful."
Turkey, which is already hosting around 2.2 million Syrian refugees, has been calling for a secure zone within Syria where the displaced could find refuge.
Top diplomats from world powers agreed at talks in Munich last Friday on a "nationwide cessation of hostilities" within a week, in the latest bid to find an end to Syria`s five-year conflict.
But doubts are growing over whether the deal can be honoured, as Turkey has defied international calls and shelled parts of northern Syria for a third day on Monday, while a suspected Russian air strike killed nine people at a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders in the north-western part of the country.
Germany`s Merkel backs no-fly zone in Syria
16 February 2016
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday backed a call from Turkey for a no-fly zone over parts of Syria, saying it would alleviate the situation of displaced Syrians.
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