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France reviews defense job cuts due to high terror risks

Xinhua, January 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday reviewed a planned defense job cuts for 2015-2019 period by keeping 7,500 military and security personnel after Paris shootings.

In a communique posted on the Elysee website, Hollande decided to trim only 1,500 posts in Ministry of Defense this year in response to high terrorism risks and needs of strong security measures two weeks after gunmen claiming links with terrorist cells, who killed 17 people.

In 2013, French government said to slash 34,000 defense ministry jobs in the period from 2014 until 2019 as part of a drive to squeeze public spending and put France's finances in order.

Earlier in the day, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls unveiled a package of tough security measures including the recruitment of 2,680 people in defense and justice sectors in order to boost national security,

In addition, the government will pump 233 million euros (270 million U.S. dollars) 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 which is crucial to guarantee French security. We are taking exceptional measures worthy of the menaces we are facing," Valls stressed. Endit