Riots: Security beefed up
2005-11-06 21:43
Paris - Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said on Sunday that the French government would apply swift justice to the hundreds of youths rounded up after more than a week of rioting around Paris and in other regions.
After an emergency meeting on the crisis, De Villepin told reporters the government will "accelerate judicial procedures" to make sure that those arrested can immediately be brought before special courts.
Government spokesperson Jean-Francois Cope said that more than 800 people have been booked by police since the rioting started.
The response of the government could be summed up in two words, he said: "Firmness and justice."
Cope said that message was starting to get through.
De Villepin said security sources would be beefed up anywhere in France that it proves necessary.
He issued a "solemn appeal" for everyone involved in the crisis to show responsibility.
"Violence is not the answer," he said.
- AFP