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Trèbes siege: French prime minister says supermarket hostage situation likely a 'terrorist act' Trèbes siege: French prime minister says supermarket hostage situation likely a 'terrorist act'
(35 minutes later)
The French prime minister has said all evidence points to the now-concluded hostage situation in southern France being a “terrorist act”. The French prime minister has said all evidence points to the now-ended hostage situation in southern France being a “terrorist act”.
Edouard Philippe made the announcement after French police confirmed to The Independent that two people had been killed, and his assessment was later echoed by President Emmanuel Macron. Edouard Philippe’s assessment was later echoed by President Emmanuel Macron. France’s interior minister, Gérard Collomb, confirmed the attacker had been shot dead and said three other people had been killed.
France’s interior minister, Gérard Collomb, confirmed the attacker had been shot dead and that the death toll now stands at three. Mr Collomb identified the suspect as Redouane Lakdim, 26, a petty criminal and small-time drug dealer who he said was radicalised and under police surveillance.
He identified the suspect as Redouane Lakdim, 26, a petty criminal and small-time drug dealer who he said was radicalised and under police surveillance. The gunman was reported to have taken up to eight hostages near Toulouse on Friday morning, and was killed by officers who stormed the Super U shop in Trèbes after 2pm local time.
The gunman was reported to have taken up to eight hostages near Toulouse on Friday morning, and was killed by officers who stormed the Super U shop in Trèbes at about 2.30pm local time.
AFP reported the gunman had claimed allegiance to Isis, while the BFM TV channel said he had demanded the release of Salah Abdeslam, who is suspected of being involved in the November 2015 Paris terror attack that killed 130 people.AFP reported the gunman had claimed allegiance to Isis, while the BFM TV channel said he had demanded the release of Salah Abdeslam, who is suspected of being involved in the November 2015 Paris terror attack that killed 130 people.
The town’s mayor Eric Menassi also told LCI TV that the man had entered the shop screaming “Allahu Akbar, I’ll kill you all”.The town’s mayor Eric Menassi also told LCI TV that the man had entered the shop screaming “Allahu Akbar, I’ll kill you all”.
Isis claimed responsibility for the attack through its propaganda agency.Isis claimed responsibility for the attack through its propaganda agency.
Earlier on Friday in the nearby town of Carcassonne, a short drive away, at least one gunman opened fire on a group of police officers and wounded one, according to reports and the UNSA police union.Earlier on Friday in the nearby town of Carcassonne, a short drive away, at least one gunman opened fire on a group of police officers and wounded one, according to reports and the UNSA police union.
Yves Lefebvre, secretary general of the SGP Police-FO union, suggested the same person had been involved in both incidents. The suspect fired six shots at police officers on secondment from Marseilles who were out jogging, wounding one in the shoulder, he said.Yves Lefebvre, secretary general of the SGP Police-FO union, suggested the same person had been involved in both incidents. The suspect fired six shots at police officers on secondment from Marseilles who were out jogging, wounding one in the shoulder, he said.
He said the gunman had shot dead one person and seriously wounded another inside the supermarket, AP reported. It was also reported he had shot one person in Carcassonne.He said the gunman had shot dead one person and seriously wounded another inside the supermarket, AP reported. It was also reported he had shot one person in Carcassonne.
Local newspaper L’Independant reported that two men had been involved in the initial shooting attack on police. Mr Collomb also praised the “heroism” of a French police officer who offered himself up as a hostage swap during the attack and was subsequently seriously injured. 
He said the officer “volunteered to swap his place with a hostage” inside the Super U shop and stayed with the armed suspect. He managed to leave his cellphone switched on after the swap, establishing contact with officers outside the supermarket during the hours-long siege. 
Mr Collomb said elite French forces stormed the market and killed the gunman after hearing shots from inside. He did not say how or when the police officer was injured.
France has been on high alert since a string of Islamic extremist attacks in 2015 and 2016 that have killed more than 200 people.France has been on high alert since a string of Islamic extremist attacks in 2015 and 2016 that have killed more than 200 people.
Friday’s shootings took place in a normally quiet part of the counrty, where the main tourist attraction is the treasured old city of Carcassonne, its medieval walls and its summertime festivals. Friday’s shootings took place in a normally quiet part of the counrty, where the main tourist attraction is the treasured old city of Carcassonne, its medieval walls and its summertime festivals. 
Additional reporting by agenciesAdditional reporting by agencies