Hollande steps up France security over Mali and Somalia
French President Francois Hollande has ordered security stepped up around public buildings and transport because of military operations in Africa.
He was responding to the risk of Islamist attack after French forces attacked militants in Mali and Somalia.
A pilot was killed as air strikes were launched on a column of Malian rebels.
In Somalia, two French soldiers were "sacrificed" in a raid to free a French hostage, Mr Hollande said. The hostage was believed to have died.
'Vigipirate'
France's anti-terrorism alert system known as "Vigipirate" is being reinforced immediately, with security boosted at public buildings and transport networks, particularly rail and air. Public gatherings will also be affected.
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The alert will remain at red, the second-highest level at which emergency counter-attack measures are put in place.
The "struggle against terrorism" required all necessary precautions to be taken in France itself, the president said.
His remarks came within hours of one of the Islamist groups targeted by French military action in Mali threatening reprisals against France.
An Ansar Dine spokesman told Reuters news agency there would be consequences for French citizens throughout the Muslim world.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20999348
