France, Australia to step up anti-terror cooperation

PARIS, France — French President Francois Hollande says France and Australia will reinforce their cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State group and other terrorist threats.

In a joint statement following Hollande's meeting with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, the leaders said ISIS "constitutes a great threat for the world's safety and for our two countries."

The leaders say they will step up dialogue and intelligence-sharing to combat violent extremists and those who become radicalized online.

At least 110 Australians have gone to Iraq and Syria to fight alongside extremists, while France estimates about 3,000 of its citizens have links to extremist fighters in Syria and Iraq.

The statement comes as France hosts an international conference of anti-terror judges beginning Monday.