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Macron Seeks to Extend State of Emergency Until Nov. 1

Macron Seeks to Extend State of Emergency Until Nov. 1
Macron Seeks to Extend State of Emergency Until Nov. 1

President Emmanuel Macron will ask France’s Parliament to extend a state of emergency, in place since the 2015 attacks by the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group, following this Monday’s suicide bombing in Manchester.

France’s new president said in a statement that he will ask lawmakers to prolong the measure from July 15, its current expiration date, until November 1. It would be the sixth extension of the state of emergency, which gives police exceptional powers, France24 reported. He made the decision after a security meeting on Wednesday in which top officials "studied the implications of this new terrorist attack on measures of protection to ensure the security of our compatriots".

The statement from the Elysée presidential palace once again noted “the bonds that unite France and the United Kingdom in the fight against terrorism”.

An improvised explosive device was detonated at a concert at the Manchester Arena on Monday evening, killing as many as 22 young people, as well as the attacker. The deadly blast was claimed by the IS on Tuesday, but a lack of details about the incident shed doubt on whether the terrorists had really organized or ordered the attack.

Macron also asked his government to prepare draft legislation to reinforce security measures permanently beyond the state of emergency.

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