[Washington DC]President Obama Congratulates Belgium+France Over Paris Suspect Arrest&Commends Security Services
President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Belgian PM Charles Michel and French President Francois Hollande to congratulate them on the arrest in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, a suspect in the November 13, 2015 ISIL terrorist attacks in Paris, France.
The President commended the work of Belgian security services and noted that this significant arrest was the result of hard work and close cooperation between Belgian and French law enforcement authorities.
The President reiterated that the United States stands together with Belgium and France in our shared struggle against the scourge of terrorism and once again pledged the full cooperation and support of the United States in these efforts, reaffirming our shared commitment to degrading and destroying ISIL.
Minutes after the Paris attack, US officials were in close touch with national security and law enforcement officials in France and Belgium as they take steps to try to protect their country,
Abdeslam, 26, one of the most wanted men in Europe, was captured in Brussels yesterday during a raid by armed police, according to French police.
Abdeslam is believed to have played a key role in the November 13 attacks claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS) group that left 130 people dead.