Russia, France call for broad coalition in fight against terrorism

MOSCOW, Nov 27 (PRIME) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Francois Hollande agreed late Thursday to unite forces against common threats and urged partners to strengthen coalition for fighting the Islamic State.

Recent terror attacks mean that Moscow and Paris have to unite forces, Putin told Hollande.

“We grieve with you over the losses that France suffered, these are major losses. According to the latest data, as far as I know, 130 people are confirmed dead and over 350 are injured. You know that Russia has suffered serious losses as a result of heinous terrorist act against a civilian aircraft. All this forces us to join efforts against a common evil,” Putin said.

Russia can count on France in investigating a terror attack on the A321 plane under the Sinai Peninsula, and the countries should fight against terrorism together, Hollande said.

“I told mister Putin that France is ready to go hand in hand with Russia to reach a joint goal – fight with terrorist groups and first of all with the Islamic State,” Hollande said.

Russia and France agreed to strike only terrorists, the French president also said.

“The most important is not to strike forces that are fighting terrorism. We will exchange information about whom to hit and whom not to hit,” he said.

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