France to present plan to fight jihadist threat

Authorities aim to use schools and local community leaders to intercept those being radicalized

Illustrative photo of French-Muslim fighters in Syria calling for others to join jihad in recruitment video. (Photo credit: Screenshot/YouTube)
Illustrative photo of French-Muslim fighters in Syria calling for others to join jihad in recruitment video. (Photo credit: Screenshot/YouTube)

PARIS — France will unveil a plan to stop the stream of French youths joining jihadist groups in Syria, with a new focus on preventing radicalization.

President Francois Hollande said Tuesday that France will take “all kinds of measures to dissuade, to stop, to punish those who would be tempted to go fighting in places where they have no place.”

The plan will be presented at a cabinet meeting Wednesday. It’s designed to identify people in the early stages of radicalization, through a strategy involving schools, parents and local Muslim leaders.

It also includes tough measures to bolster intelligence and border surveillance, including restricting minors from leaving France.

French authorities estimate that around 500 French have left for Syria —including teens as young as 15.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

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