Democracies in a state of war against terrorism, Quebec premier says in Paris

By Fannie Olivier, The Canadian Press

PARIS – Democracies have been forced into a “state of war” against terrorism, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said after meeting with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in Paris on Saturday.

As world leaders gathered in Paris on the eve of the international conference on climate change, security often trumped the environment as the dominant theme in policy discussions.

Couillard emerged from his meeting with Valls speaking of “a state of war” that was different from wars of the past, which had two well-defined camps.

“These are the shadow forces, the forces that unfortunately, sometimes, have grown up among us. And that’s what makes them even more dramatic,” he told reporters.

Couillard praised the “vigour and strength of the intervention of the French Republic in this fight,” while emphasizing the need to open the door to immigrants.

“I think we must all be allies, and also, on the other hand, maintain our welcome, which is also part of our values of solidarity these people want to destroy,” he said.

Valls, for his part, said international co-operation was needed to combat the threat of the Islamic State.

“It’s a global battle,” he said. “The Islamic State is leading a world war against our civilizations and our planet’s universal values Therefore, we need a co-ordinated, global, efficient response to destroy this army and this terrorist organization.”

On Sunday, Couillard is scheduled to join other political leaders in a visit to the Bataclan concert hall to lay flowers in the memory of the 130 victims of the Paris attacks.

He congratulated Valls on the city’s commitment to hosting the world climate conference despite the events of Nov. 13, saying it was the “best response” to the attack.

The conference is the main reason Couillard is in Paris.

No less than 40,000 people, including more than 150 heads of state and government, are expected to attend the conference, which officially begins Monday.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today