Paris, Sep 9 (IANS): French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday that the departure of minorities persecuted by the Islamic State from the Middle East region was a victory for the terrorist group, which aims to reign through "fear".

During an international conference in Paris on the victims of religious and ethnic persecution, the French president urged countries of the region to host 4 million Syrian refugees who have fled their country, including refugees from Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, Efe reported.

He warned that if this hosting was not made now, it must be done later "in more serious circumstances," recalling that 3,000 victims have already lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.

Hollande stated that his country will host those refugees fleeing the Middle East as a European rule that "must distribute the refugees among the different states".

The president stressed that "the causes must be addressed rather than the consequences" and hence France participates in the US-led international coalition bombing to target IS bases in Iraq.