Mohamed Merah
Photo: AFP
France: Islamists seeking to avenge Merah's death
Paris' interior minister warns radicals may try to avenge death of Toulouse terrorist who killed four Jews
France's interior minister said Friday that some Islamist groups in France want to avenge the death of a Muslim radical, who the government says was responsible for the killing of seven people in a shooting spree in the country's south.
Claude Gueant, speaking on French radio Europe 1 Friday, said that authorities have observed increased "desire" and "enthusiasm" among such groups to avenge the death of Mohammed Merah, a Frenchman of Algerian descent, who died in a standoff with police last month.
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Merah's killing spree in Toulouse in March left four Jews and three French soldiers dead.
He was killed by French security forces after a 32-hour standoff.
President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is seeking re-election in an upcoming poll, has put security high up on the agenda.
Gueant called on the people to be "vigilant and attentive."
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