In an interview with the Europe1 radio station, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the flagship of the French Navy, is set to launch its operation against Islamic State militants on Monday, RIA Novosti reported.
Late on Saturday, the Charles de Gaulle arrived at the Eastern Mediterranean shore, from where it will launch bombing raids on ISIL targets in Syria.
"The aircraft carrier will be ready for a mission [in Syria] from Monday, Jean-Yves Le Drian said.
The Europe1 radio station also reported that the French aircraft carrier has already established communication with the Russian military.
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UK's HMS Defender to support France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier against ISIL https://goo.gl/riTxuG
5:07 PM - 19 Nov 2015
Earlier this week, Paris said it expected anti-terror assistance from the rest of the European Union.
In turn, Belgium and the United Kingdom pledged ships to sail with the task force, while Ireland offered to boost its troop numbers in a UN-led peacekeeping mission in Mali to allow France to redeploy soldiers elsewhere, if needed.
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France's deployment of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle adds significant strike capability to anti-ISIL coalition
10:39 AM - 19 Nov 2015
On November 13, terrorists attacked several venues around Paris, killing 129 and leaving over 350 injured. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
In the wake of the violence, French President Francois Hollande pledged to do his upmost to counter the threat of terrorism, particularly by ISIL.
Hollande's anti-terrorism measures have been agreed with the UN Security Council.
France is part of a coalition of 65 countries that are bombing Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq, acting without the permission of local authorities.
By Sputnik News
