Merkel, Hollande vow 'merciless war' against terrorism
PARIS - French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday reaffirmed their determination to wage "merciless war" to eradicate terrorism.
Over a phone talk, the two European leaders reiterated "the full mobilization of the French and German security services to fight terrorism and implement (security) measures at European level," according to a statement released by Hollande's office.
"They agreed that this merciless fight against terrorism should not undermine the values and way of life that democracies have chosen," it said.
During the conversation, Hollande also "expressed his deepest sympathy and friendship and French people's solidarity" with Germany after Monday's "odious attack" at a Christmas market in Berlin.
A lorry ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in the German capital on Monday night, killing 12 people and injuring many others.