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| Tunisia Attack Will Get ‘Full Spectrum’ Response, British Leader Vows | |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| LONDON — Shocked by the deadliest terrorist attack on Britons in a decade, Prime Minister David Cameron promised a “full spectrum” response on Monday to the assault, which killed 39 tourists at a resort in Sousse, Tunisia, on Friday. At least 18 of the victims, and possibly as many as 30, were British. | LONDON — Shocked by the deadliest terrorist attack on Britons in a decade, Prime Minister David Cameron promised a “full spectrum” response on Monday to the assault, which killed 39 tourists at a resort in Sousse, Tunisia, on Friday. At least 18 of the victims, and possibly as many as 30, were British. |
| Mr. Cameron sent security officials and government ministers to the scene and promised to step up the fight against extremism in Britain. Theresa May, the home secretary, and Tobias Ellwood, a Foreign Office minister, went on Monday to Tunisia, where British officials are working with the local authorities to assess security at beach resorts frequented by European tourists. | Mr. Cameron sent security officials and government ministers to the scene and promised to step up the fight against extremism in Britain. Theresa May, the home secretary, and Tobias Ellwood, a Foreign Office minister, went on Monday to Tunisia, where British officials are working with the local authorities to assess security at beach resorts frequented by European tourists. |
| In concrete policy terms, however, Mr. Cameron’s reaction was cautious, and he did not promise any immediate new antiterrorism measures at home or any increase in Britain’s military involvement in fighting Islamic State militants. | In concrete policy terms, however, Mr. Cameron’s reaction was cautious, and he did not promise any immediate new antiterrorism measures at home or any increase in Britain’s military involvement in fighting Islamic State militants. |
| A gunman, identified as Seifeddine Rezgui, was killed at the scene on Friday, but witnesses say that more than one person was involved in the attack. The Tunisian interior minister, Najem Gharsalli, said on Monday that security forces had arrested several people, but gave no specifics about their number or the charges against them. Local news accounts suggest that Mr. Rezgui may have had as many as 10 accomplices. | A gunman, identified as Seifeddine Rezgui, was killed at the scene on Friday, but witnesses say that more than one person was involved in the attack. The Tunisian interior minister, Najem Gharsalli, said on Monday that security forces had arrested several people, but gave no specifics about their number or the charges against them. Local news accounts suggest that Mr. Rezgui may have had as many as 10 accomplices. |
| Britain is stepping up its consular operations in Tunisia and has sent police officers to work with the authorities there, including 16 senior detectives, forensic specialists and family liaison officers. London’s Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement that “over 600 officers and staff” were at work in Tunisia and Britain concerning the attack and its repercussions. | Britain is stepping up its consular operations in Tunisia and has sent police officers to work with the authorities there, including 16 senior detectives, forensic specialists and family liaison officers. London’s Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement that “over 600 officers and staff” were at work in Tunisia and Britain concerning the attack and its repercussions. |
| Beyond those practical steps, Mr. Cameron cast his response in terms of a battle of ideas. He called militant Islamist ideology “an existential threat” to the West and said Britain was confronting “the struggle of our generation.” | Beyond those practical steps, Mr. Cameron cast his response in terms of a battle of ideas. He called militant Islamist ideology “an existential threat” to the West and said Britain was confronting “the struggle of our generation.” |
| “It’s a battle of our values and our narrative against their values and their narrative,” he told the BBC, comparing the conflict to the Cold War. | “It’s a battle of our values and our narrative against their values and their narrative,” he told the BBC, comparing the conflict to the Cold War. |
| “We have to deal with this appalling radical narrative that’s taking over the minds of young people in our country,” Mr. Cameron said. “We have to get that right, as well as the military end of things.” | “We have to deal with this appalling radical narrative that’s taking over the minds of young people in our country,” Mr. Cameron said. “We have to get that right, as well as the military end of things.” |
| The assault at the resort in Sousse was the deadliest terrorist attack involving Britons since July 7, 2005, when 52 commuters in London were killed by four suicide bombers. | The assault at the resort in Sousse was the deadliest terrorist attack involving Britons since July 7, 2005, when 52 commuters in London were killed by four suicide bombers. |
| About a dozen of the victims in Tunisia who are thought to be British had yet to be identified as of Monday morning. Mr. Cameron’s office said that because the victims had been at a resort hotel’s private beach, many of them had not been carrying identification. | About a dozen of the victims in Tunisia who are thought to be British had yet to be identified as of Monday morning. Mr. Cameron’s office said that because the victims had been at a resort hotel’s private beach, many of them had not been carrying identification. |
| The Tunisian Health Ministry said Monday that in addition to the 38 deaths, 39 people had been wounded in the attack, the state news agency reported. Thirty of those injured were treated and released, it said, while nine remained in care. The report added that so far, in addition to the British victims, the ministry had identified one Belgian citizen, one German, one Irish and one Portuguese among the dead. | The Tunisian Health Ministry said Monday that in addition to the 38 deaths, 39 people had been wounded in the attack, the state news agency reported. Thirty of those injured were treated and released, it said, while nine remained in care. The report added that so far, in addition to the British victims, the ministry had identified one Belgian citizen, one German, one Irish and one Portuguese among the dead. |
| Four Britons who were wounded in the attack were scheduled to be flown home on a British military plane Monday, while others returned on separate flights. Mr. Cameron’s office said they would all be back in Britain within 24 hours. | Four Britons who were wounded in the attack were scheduled to be flown home on a British military plane Monday, while others returned on separate flights. Mr. Cameron’s office said they would all be back in Britain within 24 hours. |
| The attack has prompted hundreds of other British tourists to cut short their vacations in Tunisia. The Foreign Office cautioned that “further terrorist attacks in Tunisia, including in tourist resorts, are possible, including by individuals who are unknown to the authorities and whose actions are inspired by terrorist groups via social media.” | The attack has prompted hundreds of other British tourists to cut short their vacations in Tunisia. The Foreign Office cautioned that “further terrorist attacks in Tunisia, including in tourist resorts, are possible, including by individuals who are unknown to the authorities and whose actions are inspired by terrorist groups via social media.” |
| However, after a meeting of top security officials on Monday, the government decided against advising travelers to stay away from Tunisia. | However, after a meeting of top security officials on Monday, the government decided against advising travelers to stay away from Tunisia. |
| As the authorities assessed the situation in Tunisia, officials acknowledged that Britons might be vulnerable in several other countries as well. The government’s national threat level is “severe,” meaning that a terrorist attack is considered highly likely. | As the authorities assessed the situation in Tunisia, officials acknowledged that Britons might be vulnerable in several other countries as well. The government’s national threat level is “severe,” meaning that a terrorist attack is considered highly likely. |