Quotes from Francois Hollande

France isn't just any country in Europe, and its president is not an ordinary leader in the world. Sometimes directing or leading the way is not enough, he has to initiate policies, as Nicolas Sarkozy was able to demonstrate during his term.

I want to initiate a change in society in the long term.

Faced with terror, France must be strong, it must be great, and the state authorities must be firm.

The Republic will destroy terrorism.

Islamist terrorism has declared war against us, against France, Europe, the entire world.

The Republic will not be destroyed by terrorism.

The concept of the terrorists is to plunge our country into division.

What the terrorists want is to scare us and fill us with dread.

A compromise appears out of reach on the stripping of terrorists' nationality.

A large country with such outstanding economic performance as Germany cannot forget that it owes some of its success to demand from other European countries.

I could have made a fortune in cheeseburgers, but I finally chose politics.

Each country has a soul, and France's soul is equality.

The extremists wanted to divide France; it came together.

I am attached to the French language. I will defend the ubiquitous use of French.

I don't know if you can hear me, but I have heard you. I heard your willingness to change. Your force, your hope... and I want to tell you how grateful I am. Thank you, thank you, thank you, people of France.

It's not for Germany to decide for the rest of Europe.

I have defended the interests of France at the G8 in Washington; afterwards I was at Chicago to announce the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan; I have participated in two European summits, so I have fully respected the engagements I made to the French.

I've got a thick skin.

Make no mistake: we will win, and groups like ISIL will lose.

Doesn't everyone have their hair done?

The real threat comes from terrorism.

Our biggest threat is not too much Europe, but too little.

ISIL struck France because it is 'free' and 'the nation of human rights'. This is not a war of civilisation, as these assassins don't have any. This is a war against the jihadist menace that threatens not just France.

We will continue to hit those who threaten us.