UK, France to increase anti-terrorism cooperation

Following talks with Cameron early on Monday, Hollande said France's main aim in light of the deadly Paris attacks was to "do the most damage possible" to IS.

Speaking at the Elysee Palace, the French president said France would continue to intensify strikes on the jihadi militant group.

Reiterating the UK's solidarity with France in the fight against IS, Cameron said he firmly supported that action taken by Hollande to strike the militant group in Syria.

"It is my firm conviction that Britain should do so too," Cameron said.

The British Prime Minister is due to present parliament with a comprehensive strategy for tackling IS later this week. The UK will also step up efforts to share intelligence with France and other European partners, Cameron said.

As part of the increase in joint efforts with France Cameron also announced on Monday that the UK had offered France the use of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri air base in Cyprus, as well as assistance with air-to-air fuelling.

The British prime minister also called on Europe to improve cooperation in face of IS, saying: "We can do more to fight against the threat of returning foreign fighters, but this will require a European effort."

"We will do all in our power to support our friend and ally, France, to defeat this evil death cult," Cameron added.

Prior to the meeting on Monday, Hollande and Cameron paid their respects at the Bataclan concert hall where 89 people were killed in the series of deadly attacks.

The series of shootings and bombings in the French capital 10 days ago, left 130 people dead and more than 350 wounded.

Hollande's meeting with Cameron comes as the French president prepares for a week with international meetings with US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and their Russian counter-part Vladimir Putin.

ksb/kms (Reuters, AFP)