PARIS, France--Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, on the official invitation of François Hollande, President of the Republic of France, arrived in Paris on Wednesday for a two-day visit. Barzani’s first meeting was with French Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian. Rudaw’s correspondent from Paris reported that they have discussed the fight against ISIS, the anticipated battle to liberate Mosul, and support for the Peshmerga. Barzani also met with the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. Barzani is expected to attend a dinner this evening at the home of the Iraqi ambassador to France; several French officials are expected to attend as well, Rudaw’s reporter confirmed. On Thursday, Barzani is scheduled to meet with Francois Hollande. France was the first country to join US-led airstrikes in Iraq in September 2014. French special forces are on the ground in both Iraq and Syria and France has provided arms and supplies to Syrian rebel groups and the Peshmerga. In June, Paris delivered two shipments of military aid to the Peshmerga. The shipment contained a number of MM98 missiles, ammunition and hand grenades, night-vision binoculars, and special-made army food. On Tuesday, Le Drian announced that France was supplying artillery in support of the Mosul battle, and its aircraft carrier was preparing to leave for the Middle East in advance of the operation.
