France to continue airstrikes against IS in Syria and Iraq

French President Francois Hollande on Monday ordered the continuation of airstrikes aimed at neutralising the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, his presidential office, the Elysee, said on Monday.

During a restricted meeting of the defence council convened to discuss France's external operations, Hollande took stock of France's fight against IS in Syria and Iraq, Xinhua reported.

According to a press release, Hollande said it was imperative to stop the attacks on the Syrian people and to engage a political transition in Syria, "which is the only solution to establish sustainable peace in the country and to eradicate the terrorist threat of IS".

France was the first European country to join US-led air strikes against IS in Iraq. Since the Paris attacks carried out by IS in November last year, France has intensified its airstrikes against IS both in Iraq and Syria with its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle participating.