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Hollande calls for urgent action on Islamic State at Paris conference

French President Francois Hollande on Monday urged swift action against the Islamic State group, warning there was "no time to lose" as he opened an international conference in Paris for countries in the anti-jihadist coalition.

President Hollande greets Iraqi president Fouad Massoum before today's conference
President Hollande greets Iraqi president Fouad Massoum before today's conference Reuters/John Schults
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"The fight of the Iraqis against terrorism is our fight as well," Hollande told representatives from around 30 countries and organisations, urging "clear, loyal and strong" global support for Iraq.

Iraqi President Fuad Masum also stressed the urgency of firm action, as the beheading of a third Western hostage in the run-up to the conference concentrated minds on the task of trying to destroy the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.

"They need to act quickly because if there is a delay, if this campaign and this support for Iraq is delayed, maybe Daesh will occupy other territories and their threat will be even bigger," said Masum, using an alternative name for IS.

"We are still asking for regular aerial operations against terrorist sites. We have to pursue them wherever they are. We need to dry up their sources of finance," added the Iraqi leader.

Just hours before the conference, France announced that it was joining Britain in carrying out reconnaissance flights in support of the US air campaign against the jihadists.

"This very morning, the first reconnaissance flights will be carried out in agreement with the Iraqi and Emirati authorities," Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told French troops, including pilots, at the Al-Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates.

Shortly afterwards, two French Rafale fighter jets took off from the base.

The French president also said that the international community "needs to find a durable solution in the place where the (IS) movement was born: In Syria."

"The chaos is benefiting the terrorists. We therefore need to support those who can negotiate and make the required compromises to secure the future of Syria," he continued. "They are the forces of the democratic opposition. They need to be backed by all means."

Ten Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, are among the countries backing the coalition.

Speaking in Paris, a US official said the number of countries signing on was "going up almost every hour," from Europe and the Middle East right across to Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

 

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