Hollande: France ‘must prepare for other attacks’

President says country ‘still exposed’ after foiled shooting attack on Paris-bound train

By AFP 25 August 2015, 2:24 pm

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French President Francois Hollande makes a statement in front of Cote d'Or and Bourgogne prefecture on July 23, 2015 in the central eastern city of Dijon after a meeting with leaders of farmers unions and public investors. (AFP Photo/Bertrand Guay)

President Francois Hollande warned Tuesday that France must brace for further attacks, just days after a potential bloodbath on a train was foiled by passengers.

“We are still exposed,” Hollande told diplomats gathered in Paris.

Ayoub El Khazzani, a 25-year-old who boarded the high-speed train in Brussels on Friday armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a Luger automatic pistol, ammunition and a box-cutter, is being grilled by anti-terror investigators.

“The aggression that took place on Friday… which could have degenerated into a monstrous carnage… is fresh proof that we must prepare for other attacks and therefore protect ourselves,” said Hollande.

Under French law, authorities can question Khazzani for four days after detaining him, a deadline that expires Tuesday evening. At that point, they are expected to either charge him or apply for an extension.

Witnesses said he opened fire, wounding a man before being wrestled to the floor and subdued by three young Americans — off-duty servicemen Alek Skarlatos and Spencer Stone and their student friend Anthony Sadler — and a Briton, 62-year-old business consultant Chris Norman.