France increases terror security, protects mosque leader amid reports of new threat

France increases terror security

PARIS — France’s interior minister says the country has reinforced vigilance against terrorist threats, and the moderate rector of the main Paris mosque has been given armed guards.

The Grand Mosque of Paris says its rector, Dalil Boubakeur, has been given three armed guards since Friday because of a new threat. Mosque spokesman Slimane Nadour says he has no information on the nature of the threat but says “the threat is real.”

Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux told reporters Monday, “our vigilance is reinforced today,” without elaborating.

Le Monde newspaper and RTL radio said Monday that France is under heightened threat of a terror attack on the transportation system and authorities are searching for a woman who could be plotting a suicide bombing in Paris.