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Hollande chairs emergency defense meeting after deadly Paris attacks

Xinhua, November 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande on Saturday chaired an emergency defense council, the second in few hours after an apparently coordinated attacks and bombing rocked the French capital Friday night.

At 0917 local time (0817 GMT), Prime Minister Manuel Valls and several ministers, including Interior Minister Bernard Caseneuve, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, in addition to army chiefs joined Hollande at the Elysee Palace to decipher the simultaneous attacks and dig for adequate security measure to ensure the safety of the eurozone's second leading power.

About six shootings rocked the 10th and 11th districts in eastern Paris, where are located the capital's most popular venues known for vibrant atmosphere during the weekend.

One of the shooting turned to hostage taking in at the Bataclan concert hall where hundreds of people were attending a concert of a rock group. About 82 people were killed.

The attack ended with raid units assault during which one shooter was shot dead and three others blew themselves up.

Simultaneously, at least two explosions were heard near the Stade de France national stadium where a France-Germany friendly soccer match was being played, attended by French president.

According to local media, the death toll rose to 128 victims, with 250 people wounded, among whom 99 are in very critical situation, in "an unprecedented terrorist attack".

Without naming any individual group, Hollande said "we know where these attacks come from. There are indeed good reasons to be afraid".

Shortly after the fatal attacks, French president declared a state of emergency across the country, the first such decision since the World War II. He also ordered to restore national border controls.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far.

France has been the target of terrorist cells' attacks following its military offensive in Mali, Iraq and Syria. The Vigipirate security system has been put at the highest level s since the Charlie Hebdo series of attacks on January 2015. Endi