U.S., France review counterterrorism efforts

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) A senior adviser to US President Barack Obama has wrapped up what the White House described as a "series of meetings with French security officials to discuss ways to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation in the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris," it was announced Wednesday.

Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco met with French Minister of the Interior Bernard Cazeneuve, and the two "discussed opportunities to enhance strong and ongoing US-French cooperation to disrupt terror plots and prevent future attacks," the White House said in a statement.

Monaco "reviewed information from US law enforcement and intelligence channels that has been shared with French authorities, and Minister Cazeneuve gave an overview of the attacks," and also "thanked Ms. Monaco for unwavering US support to France in the aftermath of the attacks, expressing appreciation for intelligence and law enforcement cooperation, President Obama's strong statements of support, calls to President Hollande on January 7 and 20, and the President's visit to the French Embassy in Washington, DC on January 8 immediately following the attack," the White House affirmed.

Monaco asserted that the US "will continue to support France in its investigation as French authorities work to identify, apprehend, and bring to justice those who helped plan or enable these attacks." Both officials further discussed "governmental responses in addressing the full life cycle of radicalization and programs to prevent violent extremism," the statement noted.