Post-church attack, Prez Hollande urges unity to win battle against terrorism

Paris, July 27: French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday (July 26) reiterated calls for the nation's unity to win a long battle against terrorism in a brief televised address after two men claiming allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) slaughtered a priest.

Earlier on Tuesday, two armed men with knives entered a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, in France, during a morning mass and seized five people including the priest, Xinhua news agency reported.

The priest was killed by the two hostages takers who were later shot dead by police units. A second victim was in critical situation.

The Islamist militant threat to France and Europe has never been so severe as now, he said, pointing that the war against terrorism both abroad and at home will be long.

"It is our unity that will make us strong. We need to form a bloc to win this war... but I assure you, we will win this war," the President said.

Denouncing "an unforgivable act", he insisted that the government will be determined to apply the anti-terrorist laws while respecting rights and freedoms.

IANS