英语文摘:France plans further air strikes against IS in Iraq: Hollande

PARIS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- French jet fighters would continue air strikes against militants of Islamic State (IS) in Iraq in the coming days in a bid to help restoring security in Iraq, French President Francois Hollande said Friday.

"This morning at 9:40 (0740 GMT) our Rafale jets launched a first strike against a logistics depot of the terrorists," Hollande said.

"The target in northeast Iraq was totally destroyed. There would be further operations in the coming days with the aim to weaken this terrorist organization and support Iraqi authorities," he added.

At a brief declaration posted on the Elysee website, the French head of state reiterated he would not send ground troops to Iraq and Paris military action would be limited to Iraq.

On Thursday, the French head of state announced air support to quell Islamists militants at the request of Iraqi authorities, pledging to start air strikes soon once reconnaissance flights had identified targets.