French President Francois Hollande on Monday declared that France is at war with the Islamic State, offering a sharp contrast to President Obama, who was saying almost simultaneously that the U.S. will not send ground troops to fight the terrorist group.
“France is at war,” Hollande said in France. “The acts that were committed on Friday night in Paris… are acts of war.”
Obama said in Turkey that it would be a “mistake” to send ground troops into the Middle East to contain a group that took responsibility for the deaths of 129 people in Paris. But Hollande said it’s time to think beyond containing the group, and instead focus on “destroying” it.
“Today, we need more strikes and we’re doing so,” Hollande said.
“At the same time, there has to be a gathering of all those who can already fight against this terrorist army, within the framework of a major and single coalition, and that’s what we’re working towards,” he said.
“In the next coming days, I will be meeting President Obama, President Putin, to unify our forces and to be able to obtain a result that, for the moment, is still put back,” Hollande added. “France is communicating with everybody. Iran, Turkey, Gulf countries.”
As France indicated it was prepared to push forward to a more aggressive action in the Middle East, Obama indicated he was opposed to stronger action because it would lead to a permanent ground force, something he has opposed.
“If you do not have local populations that are committed to inclusive governance, and who are pushing back against ideological extremists, that they resurface — unless you’re prepared to have a permanent occupation of these countries,” he said.
