French Prez Hollande pledges to deliver humanitarian aid to Iraq

Paris, Aug 10: French President

said Saturday his country will send first humanitarian

to tens of thousands of Iraqi people, mainly Christians, besieged by the Islamist fighters.

Joining US and British efforts to support civilians, "France would make in the coming hours first deliveries of first aid equipment," the president announced, stressing Paris' "commitment to stand alongside the civilian victims of the ongoing Islamic state's atrocities."

In a communique issued by his office, Hollande expressed determination to urge the international community and mainly the European partners "to take urgent steps to meet immediate humanitarian needs."

The French president also urged the international community to take steps

Tens of thousands of refugees fled into the mountains, perhaps hoping to reach the Kurdish region in north Iraq, but were trapped because of militant activity between the mountain and the Kurdish area, and were running short of food and water.

IANS