“It is crucial in that period to avoid any risk, any incident, and prevent any escalation,” Hollande said. “The only goal we must have is fighting Daesh and neutralize the terrorists. There is no other goal.”
In Germany, Merkel’s Cabinet decided to send reconnaissance aircraft, tanker planes and a warship to help in the fight against ISIS. Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the government had also agreed to provide satellite surveillance.
During Merkel’s visit in Paris on Wednesday, Hollande had said it would “be a very good signal in the fight against terrorism” if Germany could do more against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Von der Leyen said the warship would help protect France’s aircraft carrier in the eastern Mediterranean and the tanker planes could help refuel French warplanes in the air. The satellite surveillance could provide important information on ISIS and also help protect civilians with precise information.
Germany currently provides weapons and training for Kurds fighting against ISIS in Iraq.
The decision still needs parliamentary approval, but it was expected to not meet much resistance by lawmakers.
Putin said Russia was mourning for Paris victims as well as those who were killed in the Russian passenger plane bombing, and praised Hollande’s efforts to build an anti-terror coalition.
At least two known suspects of the Paris attacks are still at large, with a manhunt continuing in France and Belgium for their capture.
Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens said Paris fugitive Salah Abdeslam was “likely” getting support from others, saying it was unlikely Abdeslam could hide despite a nearly two-week manhunt without help.
Belgian authorities carried out three raids linked to the Paris attacks Thursday outside of the capital, Brussels, but made no arrests. Five suspects are already in custody in Belgium on terrorism charges related to the attacks.
Hours later, Prime Minister Charles Michel announced the alert level in Brussels was being lowered one notch from the highest level, on which it has been since Saturday. Subways are to reopen fully on Friday. Despite the reduction in alert level, Michel said an attack remained “possible and likely.”
The lowering of the threat level came as a surprise, since the government had said it would likely keep the highest threat level until Monday. Michel did not give a reason for the reduction.
