France offers asylum to Christians of north Iraq

Paris - France is ready to open its door to Christians from northern Iraq who were hounded out of their homes by extremist Islamic militants.

France's interior and foreign ministers said in a joint statement on Monday that "we are ready, if they wish, to help [them] gain asylum on our soil".

Most Christians left Mosul - Iraq's second-largest city and home to some of the most ancient Christian communities - after the Islamic State and other Sunni militants captured the city on 10 June in a brutal march across swaths of Iraq. The militants gave them a deadline, since passed, to convert to Islam, pay a tax or face death.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said, "France is revolted" and has provided "exceptional humanitarian aid" to help.