French president: We must prepare for new attacks

PARIS – The Associated Press

French President Francois Hollande delivers a speech during the annual gathering of French Ambassadors at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 25, 2015. Reuters Photo

French President Francois Hollande says his country should be prepared for more attacks such as the thwarted assault on a high-speed train last week.

Hollande said that the incident on Aug. 21 “could have degenerated into monstrous carnage without the courage of the passengers,” including three Americans and a Briton who subdued the gunman.

In a wide-ranging diplomatic speech on Aug. 25, Hollande said his country remains “exposed” to violent extremism and “this aggression is new proof that we should prepare ourselves for other assaults.”

He didn’t elaborate on a specific threat, though France has been on high alert for attacks all year. Hollande stressed his commitment to French counterterrorism efforts at home and abroad against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The train incident has highlighted growing difficulties in protecting public spaces from individual attackers.