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Islamic State: Second French jihadist seen in video Islamic State: Second French jihadist seen in video
(35 minutes later)
France has confirmed that a second Frenchman features in a video showing the beheading of Syrian prisoners, and the body of US hostage killed by Islamic State (IS). France has confirmed that a second Frenchman features in a video showing the beheading of Syrian prisoners, and the body of a US hostage killed by Islamic State (IS).
French media quote unnamed official sources as saying he is a 22-year-old from an eastern suburb of Paris.French media quote unnamed official sources as saying he is a 22-year-old from an eastern suburb of Paris.
Earlier, the government named Maxime Hauchard, from Normandy, as a militant in the video released at the weekend.Earlier, the government named Maxime Hauchard, from Normandy, as a militant in the video released at the weekend.
About 1,000 French jihadists are thought to have gone to Syria and Iraq.About 1,000 French jihadists are thought to have gone to Syria and Iraq.
Bare headsBare heads
On a visit to the Australian capital Canberra, French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday told reporters that "there were two French people" in the latest video of IS militants. On a visit to Australia, French President Francois Hollande told reporters in Canberra that "there were two French people" in the video.
"One has been categorically identified and the other one is in the process of being identified," he said."One has been categorically identified and the other one is in the process of being identified," he said.
The AFP news agency quotes a source close to the investigation as saying that the second man is known as Abu Othman, a 22-year-old from a Parisian suburb. Mr Hollande said officials had not established the "exact role" of the two militants.
In the latest IS video - unlike previous ones showing beheadings - several militants appears with their heads uncovered. He called for families to be given more information about the danger of jihadist websites and urged families to be "vigilant" in stopping young people from being recruited by extremists.
Earlier this week, a French prosecutor named Mr Hauchard as one of those leading Syrian prisoners to their execution. In the latest IS video - unlike previous ones showing beheadings - several militants appear with their heads uncovered.
Earlier this week, Mr Hauchard was named by a French prosecutor as one of those leading Syrian prisoners to their execution.
The video also shows the severed head of Abdul-Rahman Kassig, a US aid worker who was kidnapped in Syria last year.The video also shows the severed head of Abdul-Rahman Kassig, a US aid worker who was kidnapped in Syria last year.
Foreign fighters
Concerns about the involvement of French citizens in the conflict were heightened after a gun attack earlier this year on a Jewish museum in Brussels.Concerns about the involvement of French citizens in the conflict were heightened after a gun attack earlier this year on a Jewish museum in Brussels.
The attack, which killed four people, was carried out by 29-year-old Mehdi Nemmouche, a Frenchman who had fought as a jihadist in Syria. The attack, in which four people were killed, was carried out by 29-year-old Mehdi Nemmouche, a Frenchman who had fought as a jihadist in Syria.
France has the largest Muslim community in western Europe outside Russia, and is thought to provide the biggest contingent of Western jihadists in Syria and Iraq.
More than a hundred French citizens fighting in the Middle East have already returned to France, with the vast majority now facing charges under terrorism legislation, the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris reports.
Earlier this month, France convicted its first such returnee with a jail term of seven years, our correspondent adds.
The government has also given police new powers to confiscate passports, to prevent people travelling abroad to join militants.