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France plans "exceptional" security measures for Sunday high-profile rally

Xinhua, January 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

France has stepped up security for the high-profile gathering scheduled for Sunday in Paris to denounce terrorism that resulted in tens of deaths and show the national unity, a government official said on Saturday.

In a press meeting, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the government has decided to take "exceptional measures for an exceptional situation to ensure the rally's security ensure public order."

He said that 2,200 policemen and 1,500 military officers wil be deployed on Sunday. Snipers will be positioned on rooftops to ensure particiapants' safety.

Facing growing terror threat, the government kept anti-terrorism alert in greater Paris area at the highest level which means a definite threat.

Cazeneuve told reporters hundreds of thousands of people were expected to take part in the national unity march to honor the 17 victims killed in Paris shootings and to express their attachment to the Republic values.

"This mobilization would ensure the safety of sensitive places including medias outlets, religious centres and diplomatic missions," he added.

In a TV address, French Preisdent Francois Hollande announced his participation in the rally along with his main European partners, British Prime Minister David Cameroon, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Premier Matteo Renzi.

Left-wing parties, including Hollande's Socialists, the Communist Party and the Greens, have already declared their participation in the march.

Hollande warned that high vigilance is still necessary as danger to the country is not over yet, despite the death of three shooters who committed the deadliest attacks in the country in 50 years.

The two broters Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi stormed the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo magazine, killing 12 people. The suspects were killed Friday afternoon in an assault by French security force.

In a second siege in east Paris, raids units neutralized Amedy Coulibaly, who shot dead a policewoman at Montrouge on the southern edge of Paris on Thursday and took several hostages in a Jewish supermarket Friday afternoon. Enditem