President: Iran ready for security, intelligence cooperation with France to fight terrorism

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 17, IRNA -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for security and intelligence cooperation with France in campaign against terrorism.

Rouhani made the remarks in phone conversation with French President Francois Hollande.

Rouhani said that the goal of terrorists is to stir waves of Islamphobia.

He underlined stepping up campaign against Daesh terrorist group in Syria and Iraq and said Islam is the religion of peace and stood against any kind of terrorism.

'The errorists will fail to attribute themselves to Islam. Bloodshed has nothing to do with Islam'

The President said elimination of terrorists in Syria and Iraq should be the first priority, calling for collective action of the international community.

By violence and savagery, the terrorists will not be able to force nations and governments to surrender themselves, said President Rouhani, adding that the Islamic Republic of Iran wants formation of a united front to confront terrorism on the global level.

He said that terrorists cannot achieve their goals in light of resolve of all nations and governments to thwart menaces of terrorism.

He re-extended condolences to French nation and government on behalf of Iranian nation and government and said that by perpetrating such heinous crimes, Daesh terrorists showed that they have declared war against all countries.

'To uproot terrorism, all countries should roll up sleeve and draw up joint plans. Their financial support must be cut off, their access to sophisticated arms and the places they undergo military training should be blocked.'

Referring to martyrdom of 17,000 Iranians by terrorists in Iran, President Rouhani said that terrorists attacked not only the French nation but the entire humanity.

'Iranian nation is well aware of the adverse consequences of terrorism and declares that Iran is ready to take any action against terrorists in any part of the world.'

He called for collective campaign of the international community to thwart terrorism.

'We hope that a group of countries trying to promote their objectives through instrumental use of terrorism, will be aware of the dangers of such a move. '

President Rouhani said that Iran and France have close diplomatic ties.

'Civilization and chronology of relations between the two great nations of Iran and France tell us with a loud voice that we should expand common relations in all fields.'

Holland for his part thanked Iranian government and nation for solidarity with the French government and nation.

'Attacks of Daesh terrorists were like attack on all humanity and we should fight them in Syria and Iraq in a united and coordinated manner.'

He called for cut-off of the financial and military support for Daesh terrorists and said, 'I try to unite all countries in military campaign against Daesh.'

Underlining that the French government is ready for expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all domains, Hollande said, 'France looks forward to seeing the visit of your Excellency and I hope the visit will take place soon.'

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