Security beefed up near religious sites

FRANCE has stepped up security measures near religious sites following the attacks at two mosques in New Zealand in which 49 people died.

The measure was announced by Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. “Patrols will be held around religious sites,” he tweeted.

Castaner described the attacks at the mosques in Christchurch, South Island, on Friday, which were full of worshippers performing afternoon prayers, as “odious terrorist attacks”.

The Committee against Islamophobia in France, a Muslim rights group, tweeted: “What happened in New Zealand must not happen in France. The French state must (carry out) its responsibilities towards the Muslim community and ensure the protection of all French citizens.”

About 5 million Muslims live in France, Europe’s largest Islamic community.

Meanwhile, yellow vest protesters set fire to a bank and ransacked stores in Paris yesterday, in a new flare-up of violence as demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron and his pro-business reforms entered their fourth month.

Police fired tear gas and water cannons as the protests turned violent.

A branch of Tarneaud Bank spewed flames before firefighters arrived and two news stands on the Champsélysées avenue caught fire as bonfires burned there and in nearby streets.

Protesters threw cobblestones at riot police through clouds of tear gas in front of the Arc de Triomphe. By mid-afternoon police had arrested more than 80 protesters.

Castaner said the protests were small compared with those a few weeks ago, with 8 000 protesters. “But… there are more than 1 500 ultra-violent people who are there just to smash things up, to fight and to attack.”

More than 1 400 police officers had been mobilised. |