France increases security for climate conference
French police officers take position on Place de la Republique (Republic Square), after allegedly false alert sparked mass panicc amongst the gathered crowd in Paris, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu
BRUSSELS – France is deploying additional police and troops to guard about 140 world leaders expected in the Paris region for critical talks on fighting global warming.
The country remains on high alert for possible terrorist attacks after Islamic extremists killed at least 130 people in a rock concert massacre, shootings at Paris cafes and suicide bombings at the national stadium Nov. 13.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Wednesday that France will impose tight road traffic restrictions for the climate conference and maintain controls on its borders, which are normally open to other European countries.
Cazeneuve said the border checks would remain in place as long as the threat level remains high.
He said 120,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers are deployed across the country to assure France’s security.
Article continues after this advertisementPresident Barack Obama is among the many leaders expected to arrive starting this weekend for the U.N. climate talks that start Monday.
