Kerry in Paris for Post-Attacks Talks with Hollande
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Paris on Monday to underscore Washington's "strong relationship" with France in the wake of the attacks on Paris, a State Department spokesman said.
"He will reiterate America's commitment to our strong relationship with France and express our condolences as well as our shared resolve to continue countering violent extremism here and around the world," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
Kerry, who speaks fluent French, has visited Paris at least 20 times as secretary of state, and expressed his solidarity with "the oldest ally" of the U.S. over the weekend.
Earlier in the day, the French presidency said French President Francois Hollande will meet Kerry in Paris early Tuesday.
They will hold talks at the Elysee Palace from 9:40 am (0840 GMT), a statement said.
The two countries have reaffirmed their military cooperation, with U.S. President Barack Obama saying Monday that a new agreement had been forged on intelligence-sharing for air strikes in Syria.
Neither Kerry nor Obama joined the public march in Paris in the wake of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket in January, despite visits from numerous world leaders.
U.S. officials said Kerry would not visit the sites of Friday's attacks for security reasons.
Source: Agence France Presse
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