French Politician Pledges Support To NRF Leader During Paris Visit

Éric Ciotti, leader of France’s right-wing party The Republicans and a member of the National Assembly, met with Ahmad Massoud, head of Afghanistan’s National Resistance Front, during the latter’s visit to Paris this week.

Ciotti affirmed that Massoud can count on his and his party’s continued support.

Massoud travelled to France to attend a conference hosted by the Collège des Bernardins on 12 June. On the sidelines of the event, he held meetings with several French politicians, including Ciotti.

Following their meeting, Ciotti posted on X (formerly Twitter), describing Massoud as “a symbol of the struggle for civilisation, freedom, and democracy against the Taliban and Islamist extremism.” He stated that Massoud’s fight was also shared by The Republicans and expressed pride in supporting his cause.

“Ahmad Massoud can always count on our support,” Ciotti wrote.

Massoud has long-standing ties with France, a connection rooted in the legacy of his late father, Ahmad Shah Massoud, the famed anti-Taliban commander of the Northern Alliance. The younger Massoud has made frequent visits to France and was previously hosted as a special guest by President Emmanuel Macron.

His ongoing resistance against Taliban rule continues to draw international attention and support, particularly from Western political figures and advocates of democracy and human rights.