France commends the excellent cooperation between the Central African Republic security forces and MINUSCA, which has enabled the UN mission to arrest 11 members of a heavily armed group attempting to reach the town of Sibut.

This operation reflects the mission's determination to implement the mandate entrusted to it by the UN Security Council. By renewing this mandate on July 26, 2016, the Security Council has set the mission the goal of reducing the presence of armed groups and minimizing the threat that they pose.

France supports the continuation of this cooperation and the maintenance of a firm attitude toward the armed groups, in order to strengthen the rule of law, bring the perpetrators of abuses to justice and strengthen the country's stability.

Syria

What is your response to Russia's use of the air base in Hamadan in Iran to carry out strikes on jihadist positions in Syria?

France is, above all, concerned by the increase in bombing over densely populated areas, which is leading to a growing number of civilian casualties.

We call on the Syrian regime and its supporters to comply with the cessation of hostilities agreement in order to alleviate the Syrian people's suffering, allow credible inter-Syrian negotiations to resume and implement a political transition in accordance with the Geneva Communiqué and UNSCR 2254.