WASHINGTON: French President François Hollande will visit Washington on Nov 24 for talks on a joint strategy for combating extremists of the Islamic State terrorist group, the White House said on Tuesday.

“This visit will underscore the friendship and solidarity between the United States and France, our oldest ally,” the statement sad. “President Obama and President Hollande will consult and coordinate our efforts to assist France’s investigation into these attacks.”

The two leaders will also “discuss further cooperation as part of the 65-member counter-IS coalition, and reiterate our shared determination to confront the scourge of terrorism,” the White House said.

In a separate statement to the US media, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was visiting Paris to discuss with French official a response to the IS attacks in Paris last Friday that killed more than 120 people.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2015