Paris--President Francois Hollande announced Wednesday that France would increase its defence budget by close to four billion euros over four years, in response to extremist threats after the Paris jihadist attacks.
He also said that emergency military patrols set up at sensitive sites nationwide after the January attacks would be made permanent, with a 7,000-strong force dedicated to internal security.
The announcements came nearly four months after jihadists went on a three-day killing spree in Paris that killed 17 people and put France and neighbouring European countries on high alert.
Speaking after a meeting with his defence council, Hollande said the decisions were taken to ensure internal security but also the safety of military forces engaged in operations abroad, such as in the troubled Sahel region of Africa or in the Central African Republic.
"Security, protection, independence, these are principles that are non-negotiable," he told reporters.
"We have the duty to support people who may come under threat, but we also defend our own security."
AFP
