Senegal sets up "homeland security unit" to fight terrorism

The Senegalese government has set up "an operational homeland security unit" to fight any eventual terrorist attack, the country's Interior and Public Security Minister Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo said Thursday.

Speaking to parliament, Diallo said "Senegal takes terrorist threats very seriously" and had reinforced "intelligence gathering, surveillance of sensitive sites, patrols and border controls."

The minister asked Senegalese population "to closely collaborate with the security forces" to better fight against terrorism.

"Terrorism is not a fight for the government alone. It should be a fight for all Senegalese," he said.

Diallo further threatened to close some hotels that had not put in place the necessary security measures.

For some days, the Senegalese media has been reporting on terrorist threats facing Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire, citing French and U.S. intelligence services.

Security measures have been reinforced in Dakar where security forces have been stationed in front of hotels while others are seen patrolling along the major streets. Enditem