Obama lauds Belgium, France on arrest of Paris attack suspect

Washington, March 19: US President Barack Obama congratulated Belgium and France on the arrest of Paris attack suspect Salah Abdeslam, a statement said. Obama on Friday called Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and French President Francois Hollande, sending his congratulation on the arrest, Xinhua quoted the White House as saying. "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 statement said. Obama also reiterated that the US "stands together" with Belgium and France in the fight against terrorism, and to degrade and destroy the Islamic States (IS) terrorist group. Abdeslam is suspected of providing logistics last November for other attackers in Paris, who killed 130 people at multiple locations. The IS has claimed responsibility for the attacks.