French Defence Minister Florence Parly wears a face mask to avoid spreading Covid-19 at a meeting with her Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad on August 27, 2020. AFP
French Defence Minister Florence Parly wears a face mask to avoid spreading Covid-19 at a meeting with her Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad on August 27, 2020. AFP
French Defence Minister Florence Parly wears a face mask to avoid spreading Covid-19 at a meeting with her Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad on August 27, 2020. AFP
French Defence Minister Florence Parly wears a face mask to avoid spreading Covid-19 at a meeting with her Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad on August 27, 2020. AFP

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi hails French role in fighting ISIS


Mina Aldroubi
  • English
  • Arabic

France is a vital partner in Iraq's fight against ISIS, Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi said on Thursday after talks with French Defence Minister Florence Parly in Baghdad.

Ms Parly also held talks with Defence Minister Jumaa Inad and President Barham Salih after her arrival in Baghdad, becoming the second French minister to visit the Iraqi capital this summer after Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian last month.

“France is a partner in the war against terrorism and the Iraqi government is keen on enhancing this partnership to develop combat efficiency and enhance the exchange of security information,” Mr Al Kadhimi told Ms Parly during their meeting, according to a statement released by his office.

During a brief press conference with Mr Inad, Ms Parly said France hoped to resume training and arming of Iraqi security forces, which was put on hold due to the outbreak of coronavirus, "as soon as possible".

Ms Parly said she and Mr Inad also discussed boosting Iraq's surveillance methods, "by land and in its airspace", to squeeze ISIS sleeper cells still operating in desert areas.

"We are convinced that the fight against ISIS is not over," she said. "We are by your side."

Ms Parly was scheduled to travel next to the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq.

Before her arrival in Baghdad, a French defence ministry statement said Ms Parly was insistent that ISIS remains a serious challenge.
"We must continue to face up to terror. French air strikes against isolated pockets of ISIS have picked up in recent months," the ministry said.

Ministry officials said Paris was concerned about an ISIS resurgence in Iraq. They believe the group is profiting from political uncertainty in the country and rivalries between Iran and the United States in the region.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

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Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

The specs
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  • On sale: 2026
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

MATCH INFO

Day 1 at Mount Maunganui

England 241-4

Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28

New Zealand 

Yet to bat

RESULT

West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' ) 
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72') 

Saturday's results

West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Brighton 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Watford 0-3 Burnley

Manchester City v Chelsea, 9.30pm 

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match info

Manchester United 3 (Martial 7', 44', 74')

Sheffield United 0

WITHIN%20SAND
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AUSTRALIA SQUADS

ODI squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Twenty20 squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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