French elite forces commander hails Kurdistan Region as ‘factor of stability’ in Iraq, Middle East

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Maj. Gen. Bertrand Toujouse, the commander of the French special forces, said that the Kurdistan Region is a “factor of stability” in Iraq and the Middle East during a meeting with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday.

Barzani received Toujouse in Erbil and the two discussed bilateral ties between the Kurdistan Region and France and ways they can be further strengthened, according to a press release from the prime minister’s office.

Toujouse told Barzani that his visit to Kurdistan is to reiterate France’s commitment to maintaining “strong cooperation” with the autonomous region within the framework of the US-led multinational coalition against the Islamic State, the release stated.

The French official also said that the Kurdistan Region is a factor of stability in Iraq and the wider region, according to the release.

The prime minister thanked Toujouse for France’s continued support and expressed the Kurdistan Region’s willingness to further develop ties and expand mutual cooperation.

France is an active and leading member of the international coalition against ISIS. It has provided support airstrikes in operations against ISIS and has also trained local partner forces, including the Kurdish Peshmerga, to fight that group.