This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36367532
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Tour de France: Special forces to guard race | Tour de France: Special forces to guard race |
(about 3 hours later) | |
About 23,000 police, including special forces, will provide security for this year's Tour de France cycle race. | About 23,000 police, including special forces, will provide security for this year's Tour de France cycle race. |
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said exceptional measures would be in place with soldiers guarding key landmarks. | French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said exceptional measures would be in place with soldiers guarding key landmarks. |
He said the "terrorist threat" following November's Paris attacks remained "very high". | He said the "terrorist threat" following November's Paris attacks remained "very high". |
France has been in a state of emergency since the jihadist-claimed assaults. The tour runs from 2-24 July. | |
The emergency was extended last week by the French parliament to cover the Tour and next month's European football Championship. | The emergency was extended last week by the French parliament to cover the Tour and next month's European football Championship. |
Mr Cazeneuve said that the GIGN, an elite police unit, would be on duty throughout the Tour and "ready to intervene at any time if needed". | |
He said it was necessary for the security forces to be "extremely vigilant" during the race because they were up against "a determined enemy willing to strike at any moment". | He said it was necessary for the security forces to be "extremely vigilant" during the race because they were up against "a determined enemy willing to strike at any moment". |
Correspondents says the event - which covers a route of 3,519km (2,247 miles) and attracts up to 12 million spectators - is notoriously difficult to police because crowds gather informally on innumerable narrow mountain roads and city streets. | Correspondents says the event - which covers a route of 3,519km (2,247 miles) and attracts up to 12 million spectators - is notoriously difficult to police because crowds gather informally on innumerable narrow mountain roads and city streets. |
The group known as Islamic State carried out last November's assaults on bars, restaurants, a concert hall and a stadium in which 130 people were killed. | The group known as Islamic State carried out last November's assaults on bars, restaurants, a concert hall and a stadium in which 130 people were killed. |
The Tour de France is a multiple stage race that has been held annually - apart from in wartime - since 1903. | The Tour de France is a multiple stage race that has been held annually - apart from in wartime - since 1903. |
Previous version
1
Next version