BREST, FRANCE (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday hoped that President-elect Joe Biden would show greater military commitment to fight Islamic extremists in various theaters of conflict and especially in the Middle East.
Macron, who delivered his New Year’s address to the French army in Brest, in the west of France, said: “I am sure that the new government (Biden) will have to make important decisions in the coming weeks that will increase commitment and awareness. will indicate in the fight against terrorism “in Syria and Iraq.
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Macron stressed that France had continued its efforts to fight the Islamic State group in the region. About 900 French troops are currently participating in the US-led US coalition. The Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier will rejoin the operation in the coming months, he said.
He also called on the United States to become more involved in multilateral defense cooperation. Biden, whose inauguration is scheduled for Wednesday, has vowed to restore US relations with allies and the NATO alliance.
Under the Trump administration, the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan has been reduced to about 2,500 and U.S. forces in Iraq have been cut in recent months to reach about the same level.
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In his speech, Macron also suggested that he consider a partial troop pull in the Sahel region of Africa, an “adjustment” he advocated due to the successes achieved by the French forces last year and the expected greater involvement of other European countries.
Macron said he would announce at a summit in the capital of Chad, N’Djamena, next month. The deployment of approximately 5,100 troops in five West African countries represents France’s largest military operation abroad.