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| France 'to shut down Calais camp' | France 'to shut down Calais camp' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| French authorities are to close a migrant squatter camp outside Calais by the end of this year, the country's immigration minister has said. | French authorities are to close a migrant squatter camp outside Calais by the end of this year, the country's immigration minister has said. |
| Speaking on a visit to the port, Eric Besson said the camp, known as "the jungle", would "not exist any more". | Speaking on a visit to the port, Eric Besson said the camp, known as "the jungle", would "not exist any more". |
| Calais has become a magnet for migrants trying to enter the UK illegally. | |
| There are estimated to be about 1,000 people living in makeshift camps which sprang up after France closed the Sangatte refugee centre in 2002. | |
| The AP news agency quoted Mr Besson as saying: "I'm telling you in advance that we won't allow this situation to deteriorate, that the jungle will not exist any more. | |
| "To maintain and develop the jungle would be an obstacle to economic interests and employment." | |
| He added: "The law of the jungle will not rule either here in Calais or anywhere else in France". | He added: "The law of the jungle will not rule either here in Calais or anywhere else in France". |
| Charities have provided donations of food and clothing to the migrants, but business owners in Calais say their presence is having a detrimental effect on the town. | |
| Last week, French police carried out an early morning raid at the camp and detained 150 people, many of them from Afghanistan. | Last week, French police carried out an early morning raid at the camp and detained 150 people, many of them from Afghanistan. |
| During a visit to Calais in January, Mr Besson vowed to deal with the growing problems in the area. | During a visit to Calais in January, Mr Besson vowed to deal with the growing problems in the area. |
| The French and British governments are currently discussing the creation of a new immigrant holding centre within the British-controlled zone of the Calais docks. |