File photo of US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Paris:
US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Paris on Monday for talks after the attacks on the French capital, vowing to defeat terrorism as he stood before a US embassy lit up in the colours of the French flag.
"The US and France are not only friends -- we are family," said Kerry, who is due to meet French President Francois Hollande and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius today.
Kerry, who speaks fluent French, vowed: "We will defeat Daesh (IS) and all who share their despicable ideology, and we will continue to show compassion to those who seek refuge from the violence the terrorists engender.
"We will fight to ensure the world our children inherit is rich in love and short on hate."
He described the IS militants, who have claimed responsibility for France's worst ever terror attacks which killed 129 people, as "psychopathic monsters".
Kerry said the attacks had not changed plans by US officials, including President Barack Obama, to attend a global climate summit in Paris at the end of the month.
"We will not change our course or cancel our plans, including our plans to come together in Paris later this month for the UN climate conference," he said.
"And President Obama told me today how much he looks forward to being here and being part of that important moment."
Kerry, who has visited Paris at least 20 times as secretary of state, expressed his solidarity with "the oldest ally" of the US over the weekend.
The two countries have reaffirmed their military cooperation, with Obama saying on Monday that a new agreement had been forged on intelligence-sharing for.
Neither Kerry nor Obama joined the public march in Paris in the wake of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket in January, despite visits from numerous world leaders.
US officials said Kerry would not visit the sites of Friday's attacks for security reasons.
"The US and France are not only friends -- we are family," said Kerry, who is due to meet French President Francois Hollande and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius today.
Kerry, who speaks fluent French, vowed: "We will defeat Daesh (IS) and all who share their despicable ideology, and we will continue to show compassion to those who seek refuge from the violence the terrorists engender.
"We will fight to ensure the world our children inherit is rich in love and short on hate."
He described the IS militants, who have claimed responsibility for France's worst ever terror attacks which killed 129 people, as "psychopathic monsters".
Kerry said the attacks had not changed plans by US officials, including President Barack Obama, to attend a global climate summit in Paris at the end of the month.
"We will not change our course or cancel our plans, including our plans to come together in Paris later this month for the UN climate conference," he said.
"And President Obama told me today how much he looks forward to being here and being part of that important moment."
Kerry, who has visited Paris at least 20 times as secretary of state, expressed his solidarity with "the oldest ally" of the US over the weekend.
The two countries have reaffirmed their military cooperation, with Obama saying on Monday that a new agreement had been forged on intelligence-sharing for.
Neither Kerry nor Obama joined the public march in Paris in the wake of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket in January, despite visits from numerous world leaders.
US officials said Kerry would not visit the sites of Friday's attacks for security reasons.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
