France: Words go hand in hand with actions in the fight against terrorism

(Baonghean.vn) - Opening the second international conference on Iraq security on September 15, French President Francois Hollande called for "by all means" support for the democratic opposition forces in Syria.

"Chaos is the game of terrorists. It is therefore necessary to support those who are capable of negotiating, compromising and making the necessary commitments to ensure a good future for Syria." Mr Hollande also urged Western and Arab partners to commit to fighting "clearly, faithfully and strongly alongside the Iraqi government", saying there was "no time to lose" in the face of the threat posed by the Islamic State.

French President Francois Hollande and Iraqi President Fouad Massoum at the French Foreign Ministry, September 15

The conference, chaired by French President and Iraqi President Fouad Massoum, brought together representatives of more than 30 countries, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry. Before arriving at the French Foreign Ministry where the meeting took place, Mr. Masoum appeared on Europe 1 channel, calling on the international community to quickly intervene in Iraq: "Militarily, we do not need troops to fight on Iraqi soil. We need an air intervention. It must be quick because if this intervention and support for Iraq is delayed, Daesh (IS in Arabic) may take over other territories and the threat from them will grow even stronger."

More than ever, France is showing its aggressiveness when, at the same time as this conference is taking place in Paris, the first French reconnaissance flights over Iraq were carried out on the morning of September 15. Rafale multi-mission fighters based in Abu Dhabi and spy planes (manned type) in the Sahel have been ordered to carry out reconnaissance and reconnaissance missions ahead of the air strikes against IS that Paris is planning. Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed this information to French troops stationed at Al-Dhafra base, in the United Arab Emirates. This operation is part of a US-led military campaign, but France requests to maintain a certain autonomy in information gathering and target selection. In the coming days, President Francois Hollande will decide specifically on the duration and extent of France's intervention, with the very limited advice of some members of the government, for example the Minister of Defense after he returns home on Tuesday, September 16. Before that, Mr. Drian will also visit and work with the President of Egypt, still related to the issue of fighting IS.

While the hexagonal country is openly showing its interest in Iraq, Iran, an unwelcome guest at the Iraq meeting, remains calm and composed. Mr. Amir-Abdollahian, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, affirmed: "The Islamic Republic of Iran does not need to wait for any international coalition in the fight against terrorism and will continue to fulfill its responsibilities." In response to the French President's call for support for the opposition in Syria, Tehran still maintains its stance of supporting the government of Bashar al-Assad. This is also the reason for the absence at the conference of Iran - an important factor in the security issue in Iraq - which, in the end, only Iraq regrets.

Ganoderma

(According to Le monde on September 15).