The drastic measures were announced by French President Francois Hollande who made a televised address late on Friday evening, just minutes before midnight.
The attack is believed to be the biggest to take place in a France's history.
A total of eight militants were killed, including seven by their suicide belts, during Friday's attacks, a source close to the investigation told Agence France-Presse.
Four of the attackers were killed in the Bataclan concert hall, three by activating their suicide vests and one shot by police. Three more died near the national stadium and a fourth was killed in a street in eastern Paris.
Hollande and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama vowed to reinforce their counter-terrorism cooperation following Friday's attack.
"Barack Obama wanted to express his support to the French people in the face of this terrible tragedy," said the source. "They reaffirmed their commitment to working closely in the fight against terrorism."
One of the attacks took place at the Bataclan concert hall where nearly 100 people had been killed at the venue. Police reprtedly stormed the hall after it had been taken seige an uncertain number of gunmen.
They later reported that four of the attackers were killed at the convert hall venue, including three who died immediately after activating their explosive belts.
"Three of them blew themselves up and a fourth, who was also wearing a belt, was hit by police fire and blew up as he fell," one source told the AFP news agency.
According to a witness, one attacker in the concert hall had shouted "Allahu akbar," meaning "God is great" in Arabic, and fired into the crowd.
An Al Arabiya News correspondent quoted witnesses at the Bataclan hall saying that the gunmen had allegedly said: "What we’ve done was in response to your actions in Syria."..........http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2015/11/14/French-media-People-killed-injured-after-shooting-in-Paris-.html
14/11/15
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council have condemned the “despicable" terrorist attacks carried out today in various locations in and around Paris, and Mr. Ban has demanded the immediate release of the numerous individuals reportedly being held hostage in the Bataclan theatre....
ReplyDeleteIn a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General condemned the "despicable" multiple attacks that took place in the French capital.
Though the situation remains fluid, media reports have suggested that a national state of emergency has been called in the wake of multiple shootings throughout Paris, including at the Bataclan arts centre in the 11th arrondissement, which appears to be one of four venues attacked and where dozens of people are reportedly being held hostage.
“The Secretary-General trusts that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly,” said the statement.
Extending his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured, Mr. Ban said in his statement that he stands with the Government and people of France.
In a separate statement, the UN Security Council also strongly condemned what the 15-member body referred to as “barbaric and cowardly” terrorist attacks, causing numerous deaths and injuries among civilians.
The Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of these terrorist acts to justice.
The members of the Council also expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government of France, the statement concluded.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52557#.VkbTUF4pr2Y