France won’t stop fight against Islamic State despite kidnapping: French PM

The 55-year-old man was abducted in Algeria on Monday by a splinter group from al-Qaida's North African branch.

By: Associated Press
Paris | September 23, 2014 03:38 PM IST

1 min read

In this still image from video published on the Internet on Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, by a group calling itself Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate, a captive Frenchman appeals to French President Francois Hollande to help free him. (Source: AP)

France’s prime minister says his country won’t stop fighting Islamic State militants despite demands by kidnappers holding a French hostage.

The 55-year-old man was abducted in Algeria on Monday by a splinter group from al-Qaida’s North African branch. The Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate, said it would kill him unless France halts it airstrikes in Iraq within 24 hours.

Manuel Valls said Tuesday on Europe 1 radio that French authorities are “doing everything” to try to free the hostage, but won’t negotiate with his captors.

He said, “if we cede, if we retreat one inch, that would hand victory” to the militants.

French forces on Friday joined the U.S. in carrying out airstrikes against extremists who have overrun large areas of Syria and Iraq.

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