France's national assembly votes to extend state of emergency

France's national assembly votes to extend state of emergency
Copyright 
By Euronews
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied
ADVERTISEMENT

France’s national assembly has heard a stark warning that the country could be targeted by chemical or biological weapons. It came as the lower house voted to extend the state of emergency for three months.

The French senate is expected to approve the extension on Friday after which it can go into effect.

“We can’t exclude anything today, and I say this with all necessary caution, but we know, we keep in mind, that there could be the risk of chemical and biological weapons,” said French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

The state of emergency gives police extended powers to search and detain suspects. Officers will also be allowed to carry their weapons while off duty as long as they wear an armband to identify them.

In Paris police have extended their ban on gatherings until midnight on Sunday although they will be allowed at the sites attacked last Friday in which 129 people were killed.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Moulin Rouge's iconic windmill sails collapse overnight

Journalists given rare access to France’s Rubis-class nuclear-powered submarine

French right-wing candidate for EU elections campaigns on immigration at border city of Menton