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France conducts reconnaissance flights over Libya

Xinhua, December 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

France carried out surveillance flights over areas in Libya controlled by Islamist insurgents and has planned more reconnaissance missions over the North African country, a press document issued by the French presidency showed on Friday.

French jet fighters conducted two intelligence flights over the Libyan towns of Sirte and Tobruk on Nov. 20 and 21, according to a press release on president Hollande's two-hour visit to the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle Friday afternoon.

"Other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights are also planned," the document added.

During a recent meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Hollande pointed to the necessity "to secure the country to prevent Daesh (Islamic State) from settling there and advancing" into the North African oil exporter, an issue that would be considered as "the next emergency."

The Elysee press dossier also announced Hollande would "meet the military involved in intensifying the battle against Daesh (Islamic State) in Syria and Iraq" on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier off the Syrian coast.

Last month, Hollande ordered France's only aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean to boost its military operation against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Endit