France warns of risk of new attacks

(Baonghean.vn)- French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned on July 19 that the country may suffer more attacks and more deaths, and that France must "learn to live with the threat".

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. Photo: AP

Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the possibility of extending the state of emergency in France, Prime Minister Valls said: "Even though it is difficult to say, this is my duty. I believe there will be other attacks and there will be other innocent people killed."

In addition, Prime Minister Valls also stressed that "it is necessary to learn to live with the threat".

Prime Minister Valls' statement was made a few days after the truck terrorist attack in Nice that killed 84 people.

Earlier, also on July 19, the French government officially asked the National Assembly to extend the state of emergency. The right wing demanded a six-month extension, amid political tension with criticism of the government for failing to fulfill its responsibilities in the fight against terrorism.

The extension of the state of emergency for another six months (until the end of January 2017) is likely to be approved. The state of emergency was declared after the Paris terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015, allowing authorities to quickly conduct house searches and place suspects under house arrest. The French National Assembly has now approved a decision to extend the state of emergency for another six months, and the bill will now have to be approved by the French Senate.

The perpetrator of the terrorist attack has been identified as Mohamed Lahouaiej Boulhel, a 31-year-old Tunisian. He had carefully prepared for the terrorist attack by truck on France’s National Day (July 14). Currently, 6 people have been questioned and arrested on suspicion of having contact with Mohamed Lahouaiej Boulhel or helping the perpetrator buy the gun used to shoot back at the police./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)