France is mourning its former President Jacques Chirac, who died Thursday at the age of 86.<br />He led France for 12 years as a charismatic standard-bearer of the right, famously opposing the Iraq War and advocating European unity.<br />In a televised speech, French President Emmanuel Marcon described him as "a great Frenchman."<br />Our Choi Si-young has more.<br />Jacques Chirac died at the age of 86 on Thursday, after serving France as President from 1995 to 2007.<br />He also served as prime minister on two occasions and was the Mayor of Paris for nearly two decades.<br /><br />Chirac drew both domestic and international acclaim for his strong opposition to French involvement in the Iraq War.<br />At the time, he said "War is always a last resort. It is always proof of failure."<br />He was also the first French leader to acknowledge France's role in the Holocaust.<br />While in office, he pressed for a more federal Europe within the European Union,... often dubbed the "United Europe of States."<br />And as a counterweight to the U.S. global dominance, Chirac also supported the United Nations and multipolarism.<br />Despite an embezzlement conviction after his presidency, Chirac remained popular and France will hold a national day of mourning on Monday.<br />Choi Si-young, Arirang News.<br />
