France boosts counter-terrorism efforts with increased spending

FRANCE is to create 2,680 new jobs and boost spending by 425m euros to bolster counter-terrorism efforts, Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said.

He said such resources were crucial to dealing with an expanded extremist threat, with 3,000 people currently requiring surveillance across France.

Mr Valls was laying out the government’s plans following attacks in Paris in which 17 were killed.

Earlier, a prosecutor gave details on four men charged over the attacks.

The men are alleged to have helped supply arms to Amedy Coulibaly, who is believed to have shot dead a policewoman on 8 January, a day before attacking a Jewish supermarket in Paris where four hostages were killed.

On 7 January two brothers, Said and Cherif Kouachi, attacked the Paris offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing 12.

All three gunmen were shot dead by police.

Announcing new counter-terrorism resources, Mr Valls said security forces would be provided with better equipment and protection, including bullet-proof vests.

“We will pursue this fight against terrorism relentlessly,” he said.