Powers struggle to agree on Syria; Russia urged to strike Islamic State

Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, September 28, 2015. Picture taken September 28, 2015. REUTERS/Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - France challenged Russia to back its words with deeds over fighting Islamic State militants in Syria as major powers on Tuesday struggled to resolve differences between Moscow and the West over ending the civil war in the Middle Eastern country.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has sent warplanes and tanks to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, called for a new anti-Islamic State coalition, diplomats pursued new ways to build a solid front against the militants.