A foreign intelligence operative suspected of helping three British schoolgirls join the Islamic State extremist group has been detained in Turkey.

Turkish foreign minister Mehmet Cavusoglu said the suspect acted even though they worked for the intelligence agency of a country that is part of the US-led anti-IS coalition.

Mr Cavusoglu did not identify the country but said it was not the United States or a member of the European Union.

The minster, who was interviewed on A Haber TV, said he had shared the information with his British counterpart.

The three teenagers travelled to Turkey last month, from where they are believed to have crossed into Syria.

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