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France deploys massive security presence on streets over Christmas

A total of 97,000 security personnel from the police and armed forces are being deployed across France over the Christmas period in what the interior ministry described as “the context of a still-elevated terrorist threat”.

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France’s government is deploying nearly 100,000 police and soldiers for the holiday season as fears of extremist attacks remain high, reports The Toronto Star.

The additional security will focus on Christmas markets, shopping centres, religious buildings, public transport and tourist sites.

Citing “the context of a still-elevated terrorist threat,” the interior ministry said in a statement that 97,000 security force personnel are mobilized for protection Sunday and Monday.

In addition to the Christmas security, the ministry said extra policing was ordered around religious sites during Hanukkah earlier this month, and for Orthodox Christmas in January, “to allow the celebration of these festivities in good conditions.”

Read more of this report from The Toronto Star.