French President: Peshmerga Forces fight for world security

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq – A Kurdistan Region delegation, headed by Kurdistan Regional Government Spokesman, Minister Safeen Dizayee, on Sunday met French President François Hollande at Elysée Palace.

The two sides discussed the war against the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, the financial crisis in the Kurdistan Region and the raising political tension in Iraq, along with a number of other issues.

President Hollande reiterated his country will continue supporting Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga Forces, which he praised the role in the fight against terrorism. He later stated to the press, “What Peshmerga are doing is not only for Kurdistan, or Iraq or Middle East, but for the world security.”

Minister Dizayee expressed his gratitude to the people and government of France for their assistance to the Kurdistan Region, noting that the Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces are fighting a war on behalf of the world against one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations.

Senior Military officials of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces also attended the meeting. Lieutenant General Sheikh Jaafar Mustafa and Major General Sirwan Barzani briefed the French President about the latest military developments on the battlefront against ISIS.

The Yezidi Kurdish member of Iraqi Parliament, representing Kurdistan Region, Ms. Vian Dakhil, also attended the meeting. She stressed the importance of international community’s recognition of the atrocities committed by ISIS against Yezidis as genocide.

The meeting came after the film of French philosopher and writer, Bernard-Henri Lévy, calledPeshmerga!, was selected at the Cannes Festival’s Official Selection and screened two days earlier at the festival in the presence of senior military officials of Peshmerga Forces.

Both President Hollande and Minister Dizayee congratulated Mr. Lévy and his team, stressing that the film will play a key role in making the struggle and sacrifices of the Peshmerga forces known to the entire world.
Please click here to see the video of the meeting posted on Elysée’s website