Local Editor

French President Francois Hollande said Monday there was "no time to lose" in fighting ISIL extremists as he opened an international conference in Paris.

The ISIL militants posed a "global threat which needs a global response," Hollande said. "There is no time to lose."

"The fight of the Iraqis against terrorism is our fight as well," he said, calling for a "clear, loyal and strong" engagement in the country alongside the Iraqi government.

Hollande also called for "complete support for "moderate" "rebels" in Syria, saying one should support those who "can make the necessary compromises".
"For France they are the forces of the democratic opposition... They must be backed by all means," he said.

For his part, Iraqi President Fouad Masoum also stressed the urgency of firm action.
"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 Masoum.

The Iraqi Leader further stated: "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."

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet foreign ministers from around the world in Paris on Monday to discuss how to defeat the ISIL militants.
About 40 countries, including 10 Arab states, have signed up to a coalition to help fight ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

French President Francois Hollande said the beheading of a British aid worker showed the world must act against ISIL.

Meanwhile, France says it has joined the UK in carrying out surveillance flights over ISIL positions in Iraq.
"This very morning, the first reconnaissance flights will be carried out in agreement with the Iraqi and Emirati authorities," Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told French troops on Monday at the al-Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates.

Britain revealed in August that Tornado jets and surveillance aircraft were involved in intelligence gathering.
Kerry said he was "extremely encouraged" by promises of military assistance to tackle the militant group.
He spoke after a whirlwind tour of the Middle East to try to drum up support for a plan of action unveiled by US President Barack Obama last week.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team