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Toulouse shootings: police arrest man and corner suspect in early swoop - live updates Toulouse shootings: police arrest man and corner suspect in early swoop - live updates
(40 minutes later)
11.45am: Claude Guéant, the French interior minister, says it seems that Merah was a petty criminal who was radicalised by an extremist group in Toulouse before travelling to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
But, Le Monde reports, Guéant is insistent that during the time Merah was monitored by the French security services, "nothing ever arose to suggest that he was preparing criminal activity".
11.30am: Reuters are firming up the picture on Merah's apparent time in Afghanistan. According to the Kandahar prison director, Merah was detained by security services on 19 December 2007 and was sentenced to three years in jail for planting bombs in Kandahar province, the Taliban's birthplace.
Le Monde's reports would seem to suggest that Merah visited Pakistan and Afghanistan — where he was picked up by Afghan police — despite having already been detained and imprisoned in the latter country ...
11.19am: Details of the suspect's time in Afghanistan are still sketchy, but Le Monde is reporting that he went twice to Pakistan, once in 2010 and again 2011, to speak with groups of fighters based in the tribal regions near the border with Afghanistan. The paper claims that he trained in the camps there alongside the Pakistani Taliban, foreign jihadis and members of the Haqqani network — and that he even crossed the border into Afghanistan as part of groups sent to fight Nato troops.
It says he is understood to have stopped off in Waziristan before heading to Kandahar and Zabul in the south of Afghanistan. Interestingly, it also says that he was stopped by police on the outskirts of Kandahar city. Although he was not arrested, his presence in the region as a foreign national was unusual enough for the police to report him to the Afghan intelligence services, who reportedly then passed on the information to western intelligence services.
It's unclear how Le Monde's claims tally with those of the director of Kandahar prison.
11.16am: According to the Kandahar prison director, the suspect escaped in 2008 during an insurgent attack on the jail.
11.09am: The director of Kandahar prison in Afghanistan has identified the suspect as Mohammed Merah — a name that has also been given to AFP by a source close to the Toulouse investigation.11.09am: The director of Kandahar prison in Afghanistan has identified the suspect as Mohammed Merah — a name that has also been given to AFP by a source close to the Toulouse investigation.
The prison director, Ghulam Faruq, has told Reuters that the man was arrested for planting bombs in Kandahar and sentenced to three years' imprisonment before he escaped during a mass Taliban jailbreak.The prison director, Ghulam Faruq, has told Reuters that the man was arrested for planting bombs in Kandahar and sentenced to three years' imprisonment before he escaped during a mass Taliban jailbreak.
If this turns out to be true, the French governement and security services — who are understood to have been following the suspect for years — are going to face some very tough questions.If this turns out to be true, the French governement and security services — who are understood to have been following the suspect for years — are going to face some very tough questions.
10.52am: Here's some quotes from Sarkozy's address the Elysee presidential palace, via Reuters:10.52am: Here's some quotes from Sarkozy's address the Elysee presidential palace, via Reuters:
We must be united. We must give in neither to discrimination nor revenge. I have brought together the Jewish and Muslim communities to show that terrorism will not manage to break our nation's feeling of community."We must be united. We must give in neither to discrimination nor revenge. I have brought together the Jewish and Muslim communities to show that terrorism will not manage to break our nation's feeling of community."
10.49am: The police must find out whether the suspect acted "alone, or in a small or larger group", according to Guéant, who is quoted by Le Monde. The interior minister says that the suspect's mother, two brothers and two sisters have been taken in by the police. One of the brothers, he says, "is also engaged in salafist ideology". The other members of the family have been taken into "precuationary custody". The mother is understood to have chosen not to try to get through to her son because she feared "he would remain deaf to her appeals".10.49am: The police must find out whether the suspect acted "alone, or in a small or larger group", according to Guéant, who is quoted by Le Monde. The interior minister says that the suspect's mother, two brothers and two sisters have been taken in by the police. One of the brothers, he says, "is also engaged in salafist ideology". The other members of the family have been taken into "precuationary custody". The mother is understood to have chosen not to try to get through to her son because she feared "he would remain deaf to her appeals".
10.38am: Angelique reports that the father of a man living in the block where the suspect is holed up has confirmed that his son and the residents of the other flats have been evacuated and taken to local police station10.38am: Angelique reports that the father of a man living in the block where the suspect is holed up has confirmed that his son and the residents of the other flats have been evacuated and taken to local police station
10.29am: Sarkozy has paid tribute to the "exceptional work" of the police and said he has been "profoundly moved" by recent events. He has also announced he will visit Toulouse before after attending this afternoon's memorial service for the soldiers who were killed in Montauban.10.29am: Sarkozy has paid tribute to the "exceptional work" of the police and said he has been "profoundly moved" by recent events. He has also announced he will visit Toulouse before after attending this afternoon's memorial service for the soldiers who were killed in Montauban.
10.22am: President Sarkozy is reacting to today's events, saying that France should not give in to discrimination or vengeance after the shootings (Via Reuters).10.22am: President Sarkozy is reacting to today's events, saying that France should not give in to discrimination or vengeance after the shootings (Via Reuters).
10.16am: The French interior minister has revealed that the suspect "was followed for several years" by the DCRI, France's secret service. But he says there was no indication that he was preparing any criminal activity. Le Figaro is now reporting that the man has stopped talking to police.10.16am: The French interior minister has revealed that the suspect "was followed for several years" by the DCRI, France's secret service. But he says there was no indication that he was preparing any criminal activity. Le Figaro is now reporting that the man has stopped talking to police.
10.09am: I've just spoken to the Guardian's Phoebe Greenwood, who has been at the funeral of Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, his two sons, Gabriel and Arieh, and seven-year-old Miriam Monsonego, in Jerusalem.10.09am: I've just spoken to the Guardian's Phoebe Greenwood, who has been at the funeral of Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, his two sons, Gabriel and Arieh, and seven-year-old Miriam Monsonego, in Jerusalem.
There was a long list of very emotional speakers from both France and Israel and all have spoken with deep emotion about the shootings in Toulouse. The chief rabbi broke down in tears as he vowed that there would be vengeance for their deaths; that God will avenge their deaths. During his speech there were wails from the crowd."There was a long list of very emotional speakers from both France and Israel and all have spoken with deep emotion about the shootings in Toulouse. The chief rabbi broke down in tears as he vowed that there would be vengeance for their deaths; that God will avenge their deaths. During his speech there were wails from the crowd."
One mourner told Phoebe that although the school was "a very safe place", the murders would make many Jews worried about security in Europe consider moving to Israel. She said:One mourner told Phoebe that although the school was "a very safe place", the murders would make many Jews worried about security in Europe consider moving to Israel. She said:
Many of the people who are thinking about moving to Israel now certainly will."Many of the people who are thinking about moving to Israel now certainly will."
9.37am: Le Figaro reports that the vehicle destroyed by the police was a van belonging to the suspect and that a small machine gun and other weapons were found inside it.9.37am: Le Figaro reports that the vehicle destroyed by the police was a van belonging to the suspect and that a small machine gun and other weapons were found inside it.
9.25am: Although eyes are fixed on events in Toulouse, today has already seen the burial — in Israel — of the rabbi and three children shot dead in Monday's attack. One Israeli official has described the attack as the act of "wild animals made crazy by their hatred". Reuters has this:9.25am: Although eyes are fixed on events in Toulouse, today has already seen the burial — in Israel — of the rabbi and three children shot dead in Monday's attack. One Israeli official has described the attack as the act of "wild animals made crazy by their hatred". Reuters has this:
The victims' bodies were wrapped in burial shrouds in accordance with orthodox tradition after being flown overnight from France. The funeral took place in a hill-top cemetery at the entrance to Jerusalem.The victims' bodies were wrapped in burial shrouds in accordance with orthodox tradition after being flown overnight from France. The funeral took place in a hill-top cemetery at the entrance to Jerusalem.
"The Jewish people face wild and insatiable animals, wild animals made crazy by their hatred," the speaker of parliament, Reuben Rivlin, said in a eulogy at the burial site."The Jewish people face wild and insatiable animals, wild animals made crazy by their hatred," the speaker of parliament, Reuben Rivlin, said in a eulogy at the burial site.
The victims were 30-year-old Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, his children Gabriel, 4, and Arieh, 5, and the daughter of the school's principal, seven-year-old Miriam Monsonego.The victims were 30-year-old Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, his children Gabriel, 4, and Arieh, 5, and the daughter of the school's principal, seven-year-old Miriam Monsonego.
"The entire house of Israel weeps over these murders," Rivlin said."The entire house of Israel weeps over these murders," Rivlin said.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, who flew to Israel to attend the funeral, said at an earlier meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres that he had come to express "the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli nation" in its time of sorrow. He added:French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, who flew to Israel to attend the funeral, said at an earlier meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres that he had come to express "the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli nation" in its time of sorrow. He added:
"The blood of both our peoples was spilled in this murder.""The blood of both our peoples was spilled in this murder."
9.21am: Angelique has clarified that the "communication device" for which the suspect gave up his pistol was a mobile phone. The BBC, meanwhile, are reporting that buses have been brought in to evacuate residents from the siege area and that a blast heard a little while ago was down to the police using a controlled explosion to move a car.9.21am: Angelique has clarified that the "communication device" for which the suspect gave up his pistol was a mobile phone. The BBC, meanwhile, are reporting that buses have been brought in to evacuate residents from the siege area and that a blast heard a little while ago was down to the police using a controlled explosion to move a car.
9.11am: In case it had escaped anyone's attention that the French presidential elections are just weeks away, the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has told French TV that the shootings are the result of France's mistaken policy in Afghanistan and said France should wage war against "these fundamentalist political and religious groups that are killing our children". (Via Reuters)9.11am: In case it had escaped anyone's attention that the French presidential elections are just weeks away, the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has told French TV that the shootings are the result of France's mistaken policy in Afghanistan and said France should wage war against "these fundamentalist political and religious groups that are killing our children". (Via Reuters)
8.55am: A source close to the investigation has told AFP that the suspect's name is Mohammed Merah and he is a French national of Algerian origin. (via BBC)8.55am: A source close to the investigation has told AFP that the suspect's name is Mohammed Merah and he is a French national of Algerian origin. (via BBC)
8.45am: Here's a Googlemap showing the house where the siege is under way and also the Jewish school where three children and a rabbi were murdered on Monday.Click on the map to expand.8.45am: Here's a Googlemap showing the house where the siege is under way and also the Jewish school where three children and a rabbi were murdered on Monday.Click on the map to expand.
8.40am: Sky News' Mark Stone has posted this panoramic picture of the scene in Toulouse showing there's a media presence to match the police's.8.40am: Sky News' Mark Stone has posted this panoramic picture of the scene in Toulouse showing there's a media presence to match the police's.
8.30am: The BBC is reporting that scooters appear to have played a pivotal role in finding the suspect. He is believed to have been exchanged emails with one of the soldiers shot dead in last week's attacks and arranged a meeting at which the soldier was killed. He is also reported to have taken a scooter - the vehicle used in the murders - to be resprayed at a Toulouse garage following the first attacks.8.30am: The BBC is reporting that scooters appear to have played a pivotal role in finding the suspect. He is believed to have been exchanged emails with one of the soldiers shot dead in last week's attacks and arranged a meeting at which the soldier was killed. He is also reported to have taken a scooter - the vehicle used in the murders - to be resprayed at a Toulouse garage following the first attacks.
8.25am: Reuters reports that the 24-year-old suspect threw his pistol from the window of the house in exhange for a "communication device". But according to Guéant, he still has an arsenal including an Uzi sub-machine gun and a Kalashnikov assault rifle.8.25am: Reuters reports that the 24-year-old suspect threw his pistol from the window of the house in exhange for a "communication device". But according to Guéant, he still has an arsenal including an Uzi sub-machine gun and a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
"He said … he will turn himself in this afternoon," Gueant told BFM television, adding that authorities were determined to take the suspect alive so he could stand trial."He said … he will turn himself in this afternoon," Gueant told BFM television, adding that authorities were determined to take the suspect alive so he could stand trial.
8.18am: Claude Guéant, the French interior minister, says the suspect has announced that he will turn himself in sometime in afternoon. But it also appears that the man, who threw a pistol out of the window a little while ago, has other weapons around him.8.18am: Claude Guéant, the French interior minister, says the suspect has announced that he will turn himself in sometime in afternoon. But it also appears that the man, who threw a pistol out of the window a little while ago, has other weapons around him.
8.15am: According to Le Monde, officers from the French police's counter terrorism unit, Raid (which stands for Recherche, Assistance, Intervention, Dissuasion - or Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence) are conducting today's operation.8.15am: According to Le Monde, officers from the French police's counter terrorism unit, Raid (which stands for Recherche, Assistance, Intervention, Dissuasion - or Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence) are conducting today's operation.
8.10am: According to the BBC, who are quoting the French interior minister, Claude Guéant, the suspect is negotiating with police and has thrown a Colt 45 pistol out of the window (police have previosuly identified a .45 calibre pistol as a weapon used in all three attacks).8.10am: According to the BBC, who are quoting the French interior minister, Claude Guéant, the suspect is negotiating with police and has thrown a Colt 45 pistol out of the window (police have previosuly identified a .45 calibre pistol as a weapon used in all three attacks).
7.57am: As Reuters points out, immigration and Islam have been major themes of the election campaign as Sarkozy tries to woo supporters of the far-right leader Marine Le Pen.7.57am: As Reuters points out, immigration and Islam have been major themes of the election campaign as Sarkozy tries to woo supporters of the far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
Analysts say the shootings could transform the election debate and possibly tone down the populist rhetoric.Analysts say the shootings could transform the election debate and possibly tone down the populist rhetoric.
Jean Marc, a 56-year-old restaurant owner in the city who declined to give his last name, said he believed the crisis would benefit the far right or Sarkozy in the election.Jean Marc, a 56-year-old restaurant owner in the city who declined to give his last name, said he believed the crisis would benefit the far right or Sarkozy in the election.

"The Socialists don't talk about this stuff and it shows they don't know what they are doing. [The police] need to get this guy."
"The Socialists don't talk about this stuff and it shows they don't know what they are doing. [The police] need to get this guy."
7.54am: A police source has told Reuters that officers could launch an assault if the standoff lasts for some time, adding:7.54am: A police source has told Reuters that officers could launch an assault if the standoff lasts for some time, adding:
"There are more and more people around, so this creates a dangerous situation.""There are more and more people around, so this creates a dangerous situation."
7.51am: The wires are also reporting that a package bomb has exploded at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris today, causing minor damage but no injuries.7.51am: The wires are also reporting that a package bomb has exploded at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris today, causing minor damage but no injuries.
A Paris police official said an employee at the embassy discovered a suspicious package and stepped back in time before exploded. There was minor damage to a window but no injuries, the official said.A Paris police official said an employee at the embassy discovered a suspicious package and stepped back in time before exploded. There was minor damage to a window but no injuries, the official said.
Indonesia's foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, says it is too early to say whether there is any link between the mail bomb and the attack on the Jewish school in Toulouse. (Via AP)Indonesia's foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, says it is too early to say whether there is any link between the mail bomb and the attack on the Jewish school in Toulouse. (Via AP)
7.48am: Here's some background from AP:7.48am: Here's some background from AP:
For years the main terrorist threat that French authorities have been concerned about has been al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, which grew from an extremist group in the former French colony of Algeria.For years the main terrorist threat that French authorities have been concerned about has been al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, which grew from an extremist group in the former French colony of Algeria.
French officials have been worried that the group may try to conduct an action in France ahead of presidential elections in April and May, a counterterrorism official told the Associated Press this week. So far, it has never succeeded in reaching across the Mediterranean Sea to strike in Europe.French officials have been worried that the group may try to conduct an action in France ahead of presidential elections in April and May, a counterterrorism official told the Associated Press this week. So far, it has never succeeded in reaching across the Mediterranean Sea to strike in Europe.
While the Toulouse raid was under way, the bodies of the four victims of the school shooting arrived in Israel for burial. The bodies of the rabbi, two of his children and a daughter of the school's principal were accompanied to Israel by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe. They landed early today.While the Toulouse raid was under way, the bodies of the four victims of the school shooting arrived in Israel for burial. The bodies of the rabbi, two of his children and a daughter of the school's principal were accompanied to Israel by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe. They landed early today.
7.43am: The scale of the police response is, understandably, huge. Angelique has spoken to a police trade union rep on the ground, who's told her that at least 300 police are involved in the operation7.43am: The scale of the police response is, understandably, huge. Angelique has spoken to a police trade union rep on the ground, who's told her that at least 300 police are involved in the operation
7.41am: Angelique adds:7.41am: Angelique adds:
In a neighbouring street to the stand off, Marc Stulman, local general secretary of the Jewish umbrella group, the Crif, said he had been briefed by the interior minister 20 mins ago.In a neighbouring street to the stand off, Marc Stulman, local general secretary of the Jewish umbrella group, the Crif, said he had been briefed by the interior minister 20 mins ago.
He said the suspect is still holed up in his home and that there had been an exchange of gunfire this morning. He added there was "immense relief" in Toulouse this morning that police had located the suspect:He said the suspect is still holed up in his home and that there had been an exchange of gunfire this morning. He added there was "immense relief" in Toulouse this morning that police had located the suspect:
"People can go to school this morning as normal. And we hope tomorrow will be a better day.""People can go to school this morning as normal. And we hope tomorrow will be a better day."
7.37am: The Guardian's Paris correspondent, Angelique Chrisafis has just sent this dispatch from Toulouse:7.37am: The Guardian's Paris correspondent, Angelique Chrisafis has just sent this dispatch from Toulouse:
On the leafy neighbouring streets, lined with smart houses with front gardens, residents were in shock. One local said he had spoken by phone to the couple who lived in the flat directly opposite the suspect. He said:On the leafy neighbouring streets, lined with smart houses with front gardens, residents were in shock. One local said he had spoken by phone to the couple who lived in the flat directly opposite the suspect. He said:
They don't know what's going on, they are in their bedroom hiding under their bed, terrified. Just after 3am they heard a commotion, the man shouted down to the police 'I have seen you!' and began firing a gun. They don't know the man well, they said they just used to pass him on the stairwell."They don't know what's going on, they are in their bedroom hiding under their bed, terrified. Just after 3am they heard a commotion, the man shouted down to the police 'I have seen you!' and began firing a gun. They don't know the man well, they said they just used to pass him on the stairwell."
7.34am: Good morning. People are waking up to the news that a man has been arrested over the Toulouse shootings while another is engaged in an armed stand-off with police. Three officers were injured in a shoot-out during the swoop on a house in Toulouse on Wednesday morning, police said.7.34am: Good morning. People are waking up to the news that a man has been arrested over the Toulouse shootings while another is engaged in an armed stand-off with police. Three officers were injured in a shoot-out during the swoop on a house in Toulouse on Wednesday morning, police said.
Reports quoted police as saying the man barricaded inside the house had told them he wanted to avenge the deaths of Palestinian children. He was described as a French national with an Algerian mother. The suspect already arrested is said to be his brother.Reports quoted police as saying the man barricaded inside the house had told them he wanted to avenge the deaths of Palestinian children. He was described as a French national with an Algerian mother. The suspect already arrested is said to be his brother.
Heavily armed police in bullet-proof vests and helmets cordoned off the residential area where the raid was taking place. Witnesses at the scene heard several shots at about 3.40am local time.Heavily armed police in bullet-proof vests and helmets cordoned off the residential area where the raid was taking place. Witnesses at the scene heard several shots at about 3.40am local time.