France to hire 2,600 new counter-terrorism officers

PanARMENIAN.Net - French security forces will get better weapons and protection to fight terror and the country will hire 2,600 new counter-terrorism officers, the Prime Minister announced Wednesday, Jan 21, according to Time.

The news came as the Paris prosecutor said four men suspected of providing logistical support to one of the Paris terror attackers have been charged with associating with terrorism — the first charges handed out for the mayhem that left 20 people dead, including three gunmen.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the government will spend 425 million euros ($490 million) on counter-terrorism over three years in response to the Paris attacks. Three police were among those killed by the gunmen.

France will also bolster its intelligence apparatus, introducing a measure to make it easier to tap phones, he said. In addition, 3,000 people with ties to France — some at home, others abroad, will be monitored by anti-terror surveillance agents.