FRANCE: Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux says the terror threat in France has increased

Record ID: 351882

  • Title: FRANCE: Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux says the terror threat in France has increased
  • Date: 17th September 2010
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (THURSDAY 16, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS INTERIOR MINISTER BRICE HORTEFEUX ARRIVING AT EIFFEL TOWER VARIOUS OF HORTEFEUX WITH POLICEMEN FRENCH POLICE AND SOLDIERS (SOUNDBITE) (French) INTERIOR MINISTER BRICE HORTEFEUX, SAYING: "This is a real threat and this threat today is at an undoubtedly high level which calls for reinforced vigilance." HORTEFEUX TALK
  • Embargoed: 2nd October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2Q115IRLHLABXSVEYYASV1GQ1
  • Story Text: France is facing a serious threat of terrorism, according to French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux.
    Speaking at the bottom of the Eiffel tower on Thursday (September 16), he said the risk of a terrorist attack on French soil had greatly increased in recent days.
    "This is a real threat and this threat today is at an undoubtedly high level which calls for reinforced vigilance," said Hortefeux.
    The Eiffel tower was evacuated on Tuesday night (September 14) after a bomb alert. Police received an anonymous phone call shortly after 2000 local time (1800GMT).
    "I think of the alert which happened at this site only 48 hours ago because of an anonymous phone call made from a phone box around Gare de Lyon. That is why I had a meeting this morning with the secret and anti-terrorist services," added Hortefeux.
    The call was taken seriously because of the time of year, only a few days after the commemoration of the 9/11 attacks in New York.
    Hortefeux added that the security threat level was considered as "elevated red".
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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