Turkey's Erdogan says saddened by U.S. arming of Syrian Kurdish militia

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (2ndL) leaves Mimar Sinan mosque following the Friday prayers in Istanbul, Turkey February 19, 2016, in this handout photo provided by the Presidential Palace. REUTERS/Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's presidency said U.S. President Barack Obama had shared his concerns over the Syrian conflict and promised his support on Friday, hours after a tense exchange between the two NATO allies over the role of Kurdish militants.

In a phone conversation that lasted one hour and twenty minutes, Ankara said Obama had told his counterpart President Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey had a right to self defence, and expressed worries over advances by Syrian Kurdish militias near Turkey's border.