LOC18:35
15:35 GMT
PARIS, June 28 (KUNA) -- French authorities on Tuesday welcomed the retaking from so-called Islamic state of the Iraqi town of Fallujah by government forces and their allies.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed support for anti-IS Coalition forces and praised the courage of the Iraqi security troops who bitterly fought IS forces for control of the town over several weeks.
France "will continue to give support (to Iraq) in the fight against this terrorist organisation," the statement said regarding IS.
"We call on the Iraqi authorities to put everything in place to guarantee the protection of civilian populations, by respecting Human Rights and international humanitarian law," the Foreign Ministry said.
There have been accusations of revenge attacks and abuse of the civilian population of Fallujah despite the fact they were virtually hostages of the extremists and suffered under IS rule.
"As Daesh (IS) is retreating, France supports the Iraqi authorities in accelerating the stabilisation of liberated zones and in implementing the indispensable reforms for national reconciliation," Paris said. (end)
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