French Prime Minister Manuel Valls (2nd L) and French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve (R). (AFP)
Paris:
France sought to reassure its citizens Monday that it was prepared to head off attacks on home soil after the Islamic State group made a chilling call for Muslims to kill civilians whose governments were acting against the jihadists.
"France is not afraid," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said repeatedly during a televised statement in response to the threat against members of a US-led anti-jihadist coalition.
"France is prepared to respond to their threat," said Cazeneuve, adding security forces were "fully mobilised".
"This is not the first time France has been threatened by terrorist groups who attack the values of tolerance ... respect for human rights and democracy, which France has upheld through its secular history," he said.
France on Friday joined the US in carrying out air strikes against the IS group which controls large areas of Iraq and Syria where it has declared a "caliphate".
"If you can kill a disbelieving American or European -- especially the spiteful and filthy French -- or an Australian, or a Canadian or any other disbeliever... including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him," said Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, the group's spokesman.
In a message released online in several languages, the IS spokesman gave tips on how to kill citizens of enemy nations without military equipment.
"Smash his head with a rock, or slaughter him with a knife, or run him over with your car, or throw him down from a high place, or choke him, or poison him."
"If you are unable to do so, then burn his home, car, or business. Or destroy his crops. If you are unable to do so, then spit in his face."
France is increasingly concerned about the number of citizens travelling to fight in Iraq and Syria who could return and pose a threat on home soil.
The lower house national assembly on Friday approved an "anti-terrorism" bill which will usher in a travel ban on anyone suspected of planning to wage jihad.
Cazeneuve said the bill would also allow for security services to be "better armed".
"Even if there is no such thing as zero risk, today we are taking 100 percent precautions."
"France is not afraid," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said repeatedly during a televised statement in response to the threat against members of a US-led anti-jihadist coalition.
"France is prepared to respond to their threat," said Cazeneuve, adding security forces were "fully mobilised".
"This is not the first time France has been threatened by terrorist groups who attack the values of tolerance ... respect for human rights and democracy, which France has upheld through its secular history," he said.
France on Friday joined the US in carrying out air strikes against the IS group which controls large areas of Iraq and Syria where it has declared a "caliphate".
"If you can kill a disbelieving American or European -- especially the spiteful and filthy French -- or an Australian, or a Canadian or any other disbeliever... including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him," said Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, the group's spokesman.
In a message released online in several languages, the IS spokesman gave tips on how to kill citizens of enemy nations without military equipment.
"Smash his head with a rock, or slaughter him with a knife, or run him over with your car, or throw him down from a high place, or choke him, or poison him."
"If you are unable to do so, then burn his home, car, or business. Or destroy his crops. If you are unable to do so, then spit in his face."
France is increasingly concerned about the number of citizens travelling to fight in Iraq and Syria who could return and pose a threat on home soil.
The lower house national assembly on Friday approved an "anti-terrorism" bill which will usher in a travel ban on anyone suspected of planning to wage jihad.
Cazeneuve said the bill would also allow for security services to be "better armed".
"Even if there is no such thing as zero risk, today we are taking 100 percent precautions."
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