Top Iraqi diplomat meets French counterpart in Baghdad

By Haydar Karaalp

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraq’s foreign minister met with his French counterpart in the capital Baghdad on Thursday and discussed Daesh/ISIS militants of French origin, who are currently held in Iraqi prisons.

“The reason for our visit to Baghdad is to support the Iraqi government which is currently facing dangers,” France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein.

“We support Iraqi security forces against Daesh/ISIS terrorist group. We will not compromise against the enemy,” Le Drian added.

The two sides also discussed French companies’ investments in Iraq and the military relations between the two countries, Hussein told reporters.

In recent months, suspected Daesh/ISIS militants have stepped up attacks, particularly in the area between Kirkuk, Saladin (north), and Diyala (east), known as the "Triangle of Death".

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over Daesh/ISIS by reclaiming all of its territory – about a third of the country’s area – invaded by the terrorist group in 2014.

However, the terrorist group still maintains sleeper cells in large areas of Iraq and periodically launches attacks.

The Iraqi army continues to carry out frequent operations against the group in these parts of the country.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz