Paris, Sep 10 (IANS) French President Francois Hollande will pay a visit to Iraq Friday to provide Baghdad authorities with needed tools to crack down on insurgents, the presidency office said Tuesday.

The development came just days ahead of an international conference on the security in Iraq scheduled for Sep 15 in France, Xinhua reported.

Hollande would head to the OPEC member country Sep 12 to “support Iraqi authorities to fight effectively” against terrorists, protect civilians and restore the rule of law throughout the country, the presidency office statement said.

Though further details on Paris’ due support was not provided, earlier in the day, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said sending national servicemen on the ground to fight the Islamic State insurgents was an option.