Thu 29 October 2020:
Three people killed in stabbing assault as security threat raised to highest, with mayor describing crime as act of ‘terrorism’.
Far right leader Marine Le Pen tweeted that there was “a dramatic acceleration of Islamic acts of war against our fellow citizens”.
“The dramatic acceleration of Islamic acts of war against our fellow citizens and our country requires our leaders to provide a global response aimed at eradicating Islamism from our soil.”
France has raised the security alert for French territory to the highest level after the knife attack in the city of Nice, Prime Minister Jean Castex said.
L’accélération dramatique des actes de guerre islamistes contre nos concitoyens et notre pays impose à nos dirigeants une réponse globale visant à l’éradication de l’islamisme de notre sol. MLP #Nice06 #NotreDame
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) October 29, 2020
Castex also told French National Assembly that the government’s response to the attack would be firm and implacable.
Streets were sealed at the site of the attack and near the Notre Dame church, Al Jazeera’s David Chater reported from Nice.
“Armed police are still here despite catching the attacker 12 minutes later. The feeling here is still one of great shock.”
French PM announces a raise in security level
France has raised the security alert for French territory to the highest level after the knife attack in the city of Nice, Prime Minister Jean Castex said.
Castex also told French National Assembly that the government’s response to the attack would be firm and implacable.
Streets were sealed at the site of the attack and near the Notre Dame church, Al Jazeera’s David Chater reported from Nice.
“Armed police are still here despite catching the attacker 12 minutes later. The feeling here is still one of great shock.”
EU slams ‘barbarity and fanaticism’ after Nice attack
European Union leaders expressed solidarity with France and pledged to confront “those that seek to incite and spread hatred”.
“My thoughts are with the victims of this hateful act. All of Europe is in solidarity with France. We will remain united and determined in the face of barbarity and fanaticism,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said.
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, dubbed the attack “abominable” and declared: All of Europe is with you.”
Turkey ‘strongly’ condemns knife attack in Nice
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the attack in the southern French city of Nice calling it “savage”.
“We strongly condemn the attack committed today inside the Notre-Dame church in Nice,” a foreign ministry statement said, while offering condolences to the victims’ relatives.
