France extends state of emergency to cover Euro 2016 football tournament

TheThe French parliament extended the country’s post-attacks state of emergency to the end of July on Tuesday in order to cover this summer's Euro 2016 football tournament and the Tour de France cycling race, reports FRANCE 24.

It is the third time the state of emergency has been extended since the November 13 jihadist attacks on Paris.

Prime minister Manuel Valls had said in April he would seek parliament’s approval for a further extension in order to ensure security at what will be two high-profile sporting events.

“Faced with events this big... which must take place in conditions of security and which at the same time should be a celebration.... we have to ensure security,” the prime minister said at the time.

Read more of this report from FRANCE 24.