France to supply artillery to Iraqi anti-IS forces

PARIS, July 22 (KUNA) -- In addition to sending more advisors to help the Iraqi army retake the city of Mosul, French President Francois Hollande said on Friday that he had decided to supply military equipment to Iraq.
"I have taken the decision to make available artillery means for the Iraqi forces," Hollande said in a statement after a Defence Council meeting here.
He did not give detail on what quantities or types of equipment would be given to the Iraqi army.
Hollande also cautioned about misunderstanding the role of French military personnel in Iraq.
"It is not French troops that are fighting on the ground in Iraq," he cautioned, clarifying earlier statements about sending more advisors to northern Iraq.
France has increased its military activity in Iraq and Syria after the July 14 terror attacks that killed 84 people and wounded more than 300 in the French Riviera city of Nice.
After what was the fourth Defence Council meeting since Nice, Hollande also said France would have "to defend itself here" after a series of bloody attacks here claimed by so-called Islamic State.
He also indicated that the number of military personnel on the streets throughout France on anti-terror duty would rise to 10,000 from the 7,000 planned.
France has increased air activity within the international Coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria and has been bombing IS targets every day since July 14, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Thursday.
The lone French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will also be redeployed to the Gulf region after the summer to increase French firepower in the fight against the terror group. (end) jk.ajs