After the presentation of the wishes of the diplomatic corps, President of the Republic, Paul Biya received in audience two senior French military officials at Unity Palace.

These are General Pierre de Villiers, Chief of the French Defence Staff, and General Vincent Guionie, commander of the French elements in Gabon.

This was in the presence of the ambassador of France in Cameroon, Christine Robichon. At the heart of the interviews, military cooperation between Cameroon and France and the war against Boko Haram were top of the menu, sources said.

Talking to the press after over an hour of exchange, General Pierre de Villiers said he was happy to have met the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, for what was the highlight of his working visit in Cameroon.

He revealed having had a working session with the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, and the Chief of Staff of the armies, the Lieutenant General Rene Claude Meka, as well as 'with the operational detachment of the French military cooperation in Cameroon.

The French Senior Officer reiterated the support of his country in the war against Boko Haram. He stressed that the fight against terrorism calls for a pooling of resources among states, among others, in the field of intelligence.

"There is no peace without development and no development without security. Poverty is the breeding ground of terrorism, "he said.