Political relations

France expresses its deep distress following the suicide attack against the offices of the satellite network Al Arabiya in the center of Baghdad, which left at least four dead and 15 injured.

We condemn this cowardly act in the strongest possible terms and offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as the members of the editorial staff of Al Arabiya.

France renews its strong support for the Iraqi authorities and people in their fight against terrorism and their mobilization on behalf of the rule of law and the protection of freedoms.

We reiterate our attachment to the freedom of the press and to the free exercise of journalism. We note that at France’s behest, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1738 in December 2006, which reaffirms to need to prevent acts of violence against journalists and to hold the authors of such violence accountable.