France praises push-back of IS in Iraq, Syria

PARIS, March 8 (KUNA) -- France on Wednesday praised the push-back of so-called Islamic State (IS) forces in Iraq and Syria in recent days and vowed to continue appropriate military support within the international coalition that is supporting the forces fighting against IS.
In a statement, the Elysee Palace indicated that President Francois Hollande had chaired Wednesday a Defence and Security Council meeting that brings together senior government members and the top chiefs in the intelligence, security and military fields.
The Council meets regularly to review domestic and external terrorist threats and approve operations to counter these.
The meeting examined measures in place to prevent terror attacks in France and also potential threats against French nationals, the statement noted.
"The Council also took stock of the evolution of international crises and "took necessary decisions on carrying out operations by French forces abroad to combat armed terrorist groups," it added.
France "in particular praised the new retreats suffered by Daesh (IS) in Mosul and in the Raqqa region and examined the conditions that would allow French forces, in the framework of the international coalition, to bring the needed support to the forces that are fighting the terrorist organisation," the Elysee said.
France has deployed strike aircraft in Jordan and the UAE which make regular sorties against IS targets and the French army has deployed artillery and advisors in Iraq to support the operation in Mosul. (end) jk.mt