Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel spoke via telephone this morning with French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian.
During the call, which had been scheduled for some time, Secretary Hagel conveyed his condolences to Minister Le Drian for the loss of life in this week's terrorist attack and promised him any help that the Department of Defense could provide.
Secretary Hagel went on to thank Minister Le Drian for their strong and enduring partnership over the years, and specifically France's counterterrorism leadership in the Sahel region of Africa. Secretary Hagel also commended France's significant contributions to the counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) campaign to date.
Minister Le Drian wished Secretary Hagel well as he prepares to depart the Pentagon, and the two reflected on the friendship they have enjoyed.