France expresses solidarity with Netherlands to combat "all forms of fanaticism"

PARIS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- France is determined to fight alongside the Netherlands to curb extremism in the wake of a "heinous act" that killed several victims in the Dutch city of Utrecht, the country's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement on Monday.

"Such acts of violence are unacceptable," Le Drian said.

Expressing solidarity with France's European neighbor "in these painful moments," the top French diplomat also stressed "unwavering determination to fight together against all forms of fanaticism and our shared will to continue to promote freedom and tolerance."

On Monday morning, a 37-year-old man opened fire on a tram in Utrecht, killing three people and injuring five others. He was captured after several hours on the run.