‘It is a horror’: Full text of President Hollande’s statement on terror in Paris

The full text of French President Francois Hollande’s address to his people late on November 13, as Paris grappled with multiple terror attacks:

My dear compatriots,

As I speak, terrorist attacks on an unprecedented scale are taking place in the Paris area. There are dozens killed, there are many injured. It is a horror.

We have, on my decision, mobilized all forces possible to neutralize the terrorists and make all affected areas safe. I have also asked for military reinforcements. They are currently in the Paris area, to ensure that no new attacks can take place.

I have also called a cabinet meeting that will be held in a few minutes.

Two decisions will be taken: a state of emergency will be declared, which means that some places will be closed, traffic may be banned, and there will also be searches which may be decided throughout greater Paris. The state of emergency will be applied throughout French territory.

The second decision I have made is to seal the borders. We must ensure that no one enters to commit any crimes and that those who have committed the crimes that we have unfortunately seen can be stopped if they try to leave the territory.

This is a terrible ordeal which once again assails us. We know where it comes from, who these criminals are, who these terrorists are.

In these difficult moments, we must — and I’m thinking of the many victims, their families and the injured — show compassion and solidarity. But we must also be united and clear-headed.

Faced with terror, France needs to be strong, it must be great and the state authorities must be firm. We will be.

Everyone must be responsible.

What the terrorists want is to scare us and fill us with dread. There is indeed reason to be afraid. There is dread, but in the face of this dread, there is a nation that knows how to defend itself, that knows how to mobilize its forces. And, once again, will defeat the terrorists.

French citizens, we have not completed the operations. There are still some difficult ones we are dealing with. It’s at this moment that the security forces are staging an assault, especially in a place in Paris.

I ask you to place your trust in the security forces’ ability to defend our nation against terrorist.

Vive La Republique et vive la France.”