France is 'at war' with ISIS, says President Hollande

Francois Hollande has declared that France is at war.

Speaking at Versaillles to both the upper and lower houses of parliament, President Hollande said he would table a bill to extend the state of emergency declared for three months.

The last time a French President spoke to both houses in Versaille was in 2009 when Nicolas Sarkozy addressed the global financial crisis.

Declaring ISIS "cowards", Hollande said they have targeted France "because France is a country of freedom, because France is the homeland of human rights.

"France is not engaged in a war of civilisations because those assassins don't represent a civilisation.

"Our democracy has triumphed before over adversaries that were much more formidable than these cowards."

He said France is committed to "not just containing, but destroying" ISIS.

This declaration comes after ISIS attacked bars, restaurants, a concert hall and a stadium in Paris leaving 129 people dead.

"Today, our country is in mourning," he said.

"We remember the innocents who died as they were mowed down by armed gunmen in the streets of Paris and in its suburbs.

"We think of the hundreds of young people, young boys and girls who have been traumatised by the attacks. Some are still fighting for their lives."

Rather than being defeated by the attacks of Friday night, Hollande declared that "The sponsors of the attack in Paris must know that their crimes further strengthens the determination of France to fight and destroy them.

"We must do more. Syria has become the largest factory of terrorists the world has ever known."

related articles
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby respond in prayer to Paris attacks
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby respond in prayer to Paris attacks

Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby respond in prayer to Paris attacks

Dawkins, Paris and Digital Luminaries: How Paris calls us to a different way of being on social media
Dawkins, Paris and Digital Luminaries: How Paris calls us to a different way of being on social media

Dawkins, Paris and Digital Luminaries: How Paris calls us to a different way of being on social media

Pope Francis preaches on End Times and \'blasphemy\' of Paris attacks
Pope Francis preaches on End Times and 'blasphemy' of Paris attacks

Pope Francis preaches on End Times and 'blasphemy' of Paris attacks

Bishop Angaelos on Paris terror attacks: We pray for hearts bent on harm and destruction to be changed

Bishop Angaelos on Paris terror attacks: We pray for hearts bent on harm and destruction to be changed

News
Over £900,000 awarded to help UK churches stay open amid growing funding pressures
Over £900,000 awarded to help UK churches stay open amid growing funding pressures

Hundreds of churches across the UK are receiving vital financial support to remain open and safe, as rising repair costs and shrinking funding streams place historic buildings under increasing strain.

How to make the most of the quiet period between Christmas and New Year
How to make the most of the quiet period between Christmas and New Year

Make the most of these last days of the year to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with God.

US carries out strikes on Islamic State in Nigeria over violence against Christians
US carries out strikes on Islamic State in Nigeria over violence against Christians

The US military has conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Nigeria over the violent "targeting" of Christians. 

Gay Archbishop of Wales says some people have left Church over her appointment
Gay Archbishop of Wales says some people have left Church over her appointment

The first openly gay Archbishop of Wales says her appointment has caused some people to leave the Church in Wales.