News / France

France to extend state of emergency for 3 months: Sources

Sunday, 15 November 2015 10:06 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 16 November 2015 1:50 AM ]

French President Francois Hollande is seen at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on November 15, 2015. (AFP)

French President Francois Hollande wants to increase a 12- day state of emergency announced following the Paris attacks to three-months, say parliamentary sources.

The president’s move will increase the state of emergency to cover an upcoming UN climate conference to be held in Paris on November 30, an unnamed source told AFP Sunday.

According to French law, extending a state of emergency further than 12 days will require approval by the French parliament.

Such measures lend French police sweeping investigating powers while being enforced.

The state of emergency was initially announced after a series of coordinated attacks by Daesh shocked the French capital, leaving at least 132 people dead and some 350 injured in a horrendous shooting and bombing spree late Friday.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of people fled a memorial event at the Place de la Republique in Paris as the atmosphere of terror lingered in the city. An official from the emergency services said some members of the public believed they had heard gunfire; however, ensuing reports said it was just a false alarm.

Meanwhile, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called for an emergency meeting of EU justice and internal affairs ministers to be held on November 20 in order to discuses implementing further security measures.

"Faced with atrocities and acts of terrorism that hit France on November 13, 2015, our combat in the struggle against terrorism should, more than ever, be relentless and resolute," Cazeneuve said in a statement.

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