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France Declares War Against Al-Qaeda After Killing of Aid Worker
The killers of Michel Germaneau will "not go unpunished," President Nicolas Sarkozy said in announcing the death in Mali of the 78-year-old hostage.
The war declaration and strike on the al-Qaeda camp in Mauritania marked a shift in strategy for France, which has mostly battled terrorism through behind-the-scenes cooperation with regional allies such as Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Algeria, the AP said.
"We are at war with al-Qaeda," Prime Minister Francois Fillon announced in no uncertain terms.
Germaneau (pictured), a humanitarian worker, had been abducted April 20 or 22 in Niger by al-Qaeda and was later taken to Mali, officials said.
"It's a universal threat that concerns the entire world ... not just France or the West," Defense Minister Herve Morin said of al-Qaeda, which has recently increased its reach through parts of Mauritania, Mali and Niger. "We will support local authorities so these assassins and (their) commanders are tracked, judged and taken before justice and punished. And, yes, we will help them."
Algeria, Mauritania, Mali, and Niger opened a joint military headquarters four months ago to respond to threats from traffickers and al-Qaeda offshoots, the AP said. U.S. Special Forces have helped the four nations train troops in recent years.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the United States said it would assist the French "in any way that we can" to bring Germaneau's killers to justice.
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SEND 100,000 TROOPS AND DON'T ST0P TILL ITS OVER NOT LIKE THE U.S. LET THE MILITARY HANDLE IT.
August 08 2010 at 10:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySpain, U.K., U.S.A., Pakistan, even Russia terrorized by Al-Qaeda. Nice of you to drop by, France.
Naturally, as always, the U.S. (& probably U.K.) will offer help.
Oh give it up about France...what good does it do to bring their unwillingness to get involved in this mess....give it up! You are acting juvenile.
August 08 2010 at 10:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhat is strange is that Al Quaida have killed more Islamists than any one else. What is stranger is that we must hold by the Geneva convention when al Qiaida ignore it. Wouldn't blame the French, no matter what they do in retaliation.
July 28 2010 at 6:12 PM Report abuse Permalink +4 rate up rate down ReplyGood luck and good hunting Mr. Sarkozy. Maybe on your next visit you can explain the definition of terrorist to Obama.
July 28 2010 at 5:02 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyFrance loses one big hearted old gentleman, trying to help the less fortunate, by beheading, and France becomes seriously at war against Islamic terrorists. America loses 3000+ citizens in a terrorist attack, and the Leftists want to behead our President for retaliating. Find anything a little screwy here?
July 28 2010 at 3:36 PM Report abuse Permalink +8 rate up rate down Replythey have lost 44 of their troops already assisting Americans.
July 28 2010 at 8:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhich 'direction' will they be 'charging in'?!?!?
July 28 2010 at 3:13 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply3,000 dead on 9/11 and we still have not declared war on al queda---------even though they declared war on us in 1998
July 28 2010 at 2:41 PM Report abuse Permalink +4 rate up rate down ReplyI wonder how long it will be before Al Queda has another country to operate from. It took the Germans two weeks. I'll take book on two years before France surrenders this time to Al Queda.
July 28 2010 at 2:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe French will do no worse than the U.S. war on drugs or poverty.
July 28 2010 at 8:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI say phooey on France's declaration. The French did not ask for our vote prior to this declaration. It is illegal.
July 28 2010 at 2:39 PM Report abuse Permalink -3 rate up rate down Reply
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