France holds security meeting on Iraq, ISIL

France on Wednesday held a high-level “Restricted Defence Council” meeting aimed to examine the situation in Iraq and ways to counter the threat from the extremist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The meeting, chaired by President Francois Hollande, “stressed the importance of a political, humanitarian and if necessary military response” to fight the ISIL forces, all the while respecting international law, according to a statement from Hollande’s office.

The “Restricted Defence Council” meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, as well as senior military and intelligence commanders and chiefs.

“France intends pursuing close consultation with all of its partners so that this response is coordinated in all domains and proves itself up to the global threat which has become very grave,” the statement said.
The meeting here also examined preparations for an international conference in Paris for peace and security in Iraq.