FRANCE remained on high alert yesterday as its government was criticised after revelations that the French Intelligence Service received information at the beginning of November that Algerian terrorists living in Afghanistan were ready to leave for an offensive against French interests.
The report, in today's Le Monde, followed Tuesday's bomb at a RER train station in Paris, which killed two people and has left dozens of others seriously injured.
There was a heavy police presence on the streets of Paris last night as the city faced the threat of further terrorist attacks during the busy Christmas season.
"We must be alert to the possibility that this was not an isolated attack," said government spokesman Mr Alain Lamassoure. "The French people must show the same solidarity and sang froid as they displayed last year.
The French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, and Prime Minister, Mr Alain Juppe, praised emergency workers and the French people for their cool in the face of a new terrorist threat.
The male victim of the nail bomb was a 41 year old Frenchman, Mr Lucien Devambez. The woman, who was blown to bits, was difficult to identify but is said to have been Canadian.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bomb attack, which resembled closely attacks by the Algerian terrorist group GIA in the summer of 1995.
A judicial inquiry headed by three judges specialising in terrorist crimes has been set up to investigate the latest incident.
A minute's silence was held in the French Parliament yesterday in memory of the dead. Mr Juppe told Parliament that the device used in Tuesday's bombing was similar to that used in the attack on the RER station Saint Michel in July 1995, in which eight people were killed and 84 injured.
Previously it had been thought that the GIA had been neutered. Six of its leaders are in jail although one, Ali Touchent, is still on the run. Over 200 Islamic fundamentalists linked to the 1995 campaign were imprisoned after a series of arrests late last year and early this year.
The bomb consisted of a 13 kg gas canister filled with explosives, which was hidden in a holdall under a seat. The bomb went off shortly after 6 p.m. as the train approached the Port Royal station.
Forensic teams combed the site throughout yesterday. Nails measuring 10 cm were found in the wreckage. The use of nails is a hallmark of Algerian terrorist bombing.
There was tight security on the underground yesterday. A campaign warning the public to be vigilant was launched immediately after the attack. Posters were displayed at every Metro station as well as on trains and buses.
The army has been called out to join police and gendarmes on patrol throughout the country. In all, 1,800 soldiers are taking part in the "Vigipirate" counter terrorism campaign.
All official buildings, train and metro stations are under tight security. A company of 500 soldiers have been placed at stations and airports in Paris alone. Security has also been stepped up in the major French towns and at the French borders.
Police evacuated one of Paris's largest department stores yesterday afternoon when a suspect parcel was found.
The Foreign Ministry said protective measures were being reinforced at French diplomatic posts. A ministry spokesman said France had also asked its European partners to step up their cooperation in the battle against terrorism.