(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Immediately upon his return from the UN General Assembly in New York, French President Francois Hollande has summoned Thursday at midday a meeting of the "Restricted Defence Council" to discuss the situation in Iraq and the threat against French nationals in the wake of the execution of 55-year-old Herve Gourdel in Algeria, the Elysee Palace confirmed.
Islamic State in Syria and the Levant (ISIL) has issued a call to attack and kill French nationals everywhere in the world because of France's role in bombing ISIL targets in Iraq.
Gourdel, a tourist, was captured and murdered by a group, Jund Al-Khalifa, which has vowed allegiance to ISIL.
France is increasing security at its embassies in about 30 countries deemed vulnerable to attack and also warning residents, tourists and other travellers to increase vigilance when travelling in high risk zones.
Security in France has also been beefed up within the existing "Vigipirate" anti-terrorist plan and foreign fighters returning from so-called "Jihad" in Syria and Iraq are being particularly monitored, as are those attempting to leave for the conflict zones.
The "Restricted Defence Council" is to include participation by Prime Minister Manual Valls, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, Economy Minister Michel Sapin, as well as the relevant military and intelligence chiefs.
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