Roundup: France beefs up security measures in counter-terrorism operations

The French government on Wednesday unveiled tough and "exceptional" anti-terror measures worth 425 million euros (492 million U.S. dollars) in a bid to ensure the country's security.

"Zero risk does not exist and our duty is to act with the utmost firmness," French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said, adding that "action against terrorism is a long fight."

During a press meeting, Valls announced the creation of 2,680 new jobs over the coming three years in the interior and justice ministries. In addition, a total of 122,000 French policemen, gendarmes and soldiers will be deployed to protect "sensitive places" such as mainly religious centers.

Valls pledged to improve the monitoring of jihadist networks by creating a special file of people already convicted of terrorism.

To this effect, the government will pump 233 million euros and 181 million euros in its interior and justice services respectively in the next three years to support its counter-terrorism mission.

"It's a massive effort crucial to guarantee French security. We are taking exceptional measures worthy of the menaces we are facing," Valls stressed.

On Jan. 7, two gunmen stormed offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, known for mocking radical Islamists. The two brothers, Cherif and Said Kouachi, killed 12 people and wounded several others in the shooting.

Cherif had previously been tried on terrorism charges and served 18 months in prison.

Amedy Coulibaly, who killed a policewoman and four others in a Jewish supermarket, said he coordinated his shootings with the Kouachi brothers.

The three men were members of the same Paris jihadist cell that a decade ago sent young French volunteers to Iraq to fight U.S. forces. Endit