The French parliament has unanimously approved the extension of the country's military intervention in Iraq, which is being directed against Islamic State militants.MOSCOW, January 14 (Sputnik) The vote was 488 to1, withone lawmaker arguing that the situation onthe ground was improving and warning that more bombing would bring aboutmore extremist violence, the Associated Press reported onWednesday.
However, Frances Prime Minister Manuel Valls France vigorously defended his countrys military campaign."France is atwar withterrorism, jihadism and radical Islamism. France is not atwar witha religion. France is not atwar withIslam and Muslims," Valls said.
Last year, France was quick tojoin the United States incarrying outairstrikes againstthe self-proclaimed Islamic State.
Under French law, such military operations must be reapproved bythe legislature every four months.
Wednesdays vote came afterat least 17 people were killed inthree days ofviolence inParis that began onJanuary 7, when two men opened fire inthe offices ofFrench satire magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 inrevenge forthe paper having published satirical images ofthe Prophet Mohammad.
The countrys worst terrorist attack indecades was followed bythe killing ofa policewoman and four hostages ina Jewish supermarket onJanuary 8.
By Sputnik News
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