France — reeling from the Paris terror attacks that left 17 dead — is now spending $490 million to bolster its counter-terrorism fighting unit and hire 2,600 officers.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the spending will span three years, The Associated Press reported.
In addition to the new-hires, France will bolster its intelligence equipment, including technology to tap phones, AP said.
The surveillance equipment will be used, in part, to tap into the activities of about 3,000 people with suspicious ties to France, AP said.
In November, France passed a law that bans French extremists from joining any type of terror group overseas. One aspect of this law that will take effect in the coming weeks allows authorities to request Internet providers to block any sites that promote terrorism, AP said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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