NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — France is aware of the potential for continued terrorist attacks in Europe and is doing everything possible to increase security around likely targets, working together with EU authorities to ready an effective response to terrorist activity, the French ambassador in India said Monday.
"We expect possibility of more attacks on European soil," Ambassador Francois Richier told reporters. "This war is going to be long, going to be difficult and is going to be global."
The French envoy spoke at an embassy press conference three days after a series of deadly coordinated attacks by self-proclaimed Islamist militants in Paris killed some 130 people and injured over 350, 99 critically.
"We have also decided to beef up the security measures surrounding the French embassy and consulates and other institutions, particularly controlled institutions," the ambassador said, adding that these were preventive measures.
World leaders reaffirmed their commitment to resist global terrorism at the ongoing G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey. The French diplomat said authorities knew about Islamic State (ISIL) strongholds in Syria and possibly Libya and their response to the recent massacres would be "merciless."
On Sunday, the French Defense Ministry said the country's attack aircraft launched a massive airstrike against IS positions in Syria, destroying a command center and a training camp in Raqqa.
