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France boosts counterterrorism force after deadly Paris attacks France boosts counterterrorism force after deadly Paris attacks
(about 4 hours later)
PARIS — France will add more than 2,600 counterterrorism agents and sharply boost funding for intelligence gathering as part of sweeping measures following the terrorist attacks earlier this month, the French prime minister said Wednesday.PARIS — France will add more than 2,600 counterterrorism agents and sharply boost funding for intelligence gathering as part of sweeping measures following the terrorist attacks earlier this month, the French prime minister said Wednesday.
The steps by France mesh with moves by other European countries, such as neighboring Belgium, to strengthen anti-terrorism forces amid worries of new threats from Islamist factions inspired by fighters returning from Syria and elsewhere.The steps by France mesh with moves by other European countries, such as neighboring Belgium, to strengthen anti-terrorism forces amid worries of new threats from Islamist factions inspired by fighters returning from Syria and elsewhere.
The plans outlined by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls do not signal a fundamental change in the country’s counterterrorism strategy. But it does reflect a growing belief in the West and among allies that security forces need to keep pace with evolving terrorist networks that could increasingly include native-born radicals.The plans outlined by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls do not signal a fundamental change in the country’s counterterrorism strategy. But it does reflect a growing belief in the West and among allies that security forces need to keep pace with evolving terrorist networks that could increasingly include native-born radicals.
The three gunmen suspected of leading days of terror were born and raised in France. A total of 17 people were killed in the attacks that began at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The gunmen were later killed in simultaneous raids.The three gunmen suspected of leading days of terror were born and raised in France. A total of 17 people were killed in the attacks that began at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The gunmen were later killed in simultaneous raids.
“The number of dangerous individuals who might actually launch attacks has been relentlessly increasing in France,” Valls said in a nationally televised address. “This change of scale is a formidable challenge for our country and for our partners, particularly our European partners.”“The number of dangerous individuals who might actually launch attacks has been relentlessly increasing in France,” Valls said in a nationally televised address. “This change of scale is a formidable challenge for our country and for our partners, particularly our European partners.”
He said the French counterterrorism registry would be expanded to include about 3,000 people who had been involved in the Islamist fighting in Syria and Iraq or were otherwise deemed at risk of radicalization. They will be required to check in closely with security forces about their movements and activities.He said the French counterterrorism registry would be expanded to include about 3,000 people who had been involved in the Islamist fighting in Syria and Iraq or were otherwise deemed at risk of radicalization. They will be required to check in closely with security forces about their movements and activities.
He said 2,680 new security forces posts would be created as part of the $493 million effort, which includes giving more tools and technology for monitoring such as phone tapping and Internet surveillance. He said 2,680 new security posts would be created as part of the $493 million effort, which includes providing more tools and technology for monitoring, such as phone tapping and Internet surveillance.
“This effort is absolutely massive but it is a prerequisite if we are to ensure the safety of the French,” he said.“This effort is absolutely massive but it is a prerequisite if we are to ensure the safety of the French,” he said.
The announcement came as French prosecutors said they had charged four men in relation to the attacks that paralyzed France earlier this month. The announcement came as French prosecutors said they had charged four men in relation to the attacks that paralyzed France this month.
The men are accused of helping Amedy Coulibaly with logistics and weaponry in his attack on a police officer and a later hostage-taking at a Paris kosher supermarket, which left four people dead.The men are accused of helping Amedy Coulibaly with logistics and weaponry in his attack on a police officer and a later hostage-taking at a Paris kosher supermarket, which left four people dead.
It was not clear if the men — three of whom have long criminal records — were connected to the militant ideology behind the attacks or whether they had simply assisted with logistics, said Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins. It was not clear whether the men — three of whom have long criminal records — were connected to the militant ideology behind the attacks or whether they had simply assisted with logistics, said Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins.
“We will probably have months of investigation, if not years,” he said.“We will probably have months of investigation, if not years,” he said.
France has repeatedly strengthened its counterterrorism laws in recent years, including measures seeking to block French citizens from joining fighters abroad.France has repeatedly strengthened its counterterrorism laws in recent years, including measures seeking to block French citizens from joining fighters abroad.
Other nations have followed. Other nations have taken similar steps.
Last week, Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, said an additional $348 million would be put toward strengthening security. He also proposed a range of new policies that include making it easier to strip citizenship from Belgians who fight in Syria and elsewhere.Last week, Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, said an additional $348 million would be put toward strengthening security. He also proposed a range of new policies that include making it easier to strip citizenship from Belgians who fight in Syria and elsewhere.
The tougher measures followed a series of raids in Belgium and other countries against suspected terrorist cells plotting attacks against police and other targets. Authorities do not believe there were direct links to the Paris attacks.The tougher measures followed a series of raids in Belgium and other countries against suspected terrorist cells plotting attacks against police and other targets. Authorities do not believe there were direct links to the Paris attacks.