High security across Paris as world leaders meet for climate talks

Europe, News November 30, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

PARIS, (France) – French authorities deployed a record number of 120,000 police while military personnel will be patrolling Paris while the French capital hosts a world summit on climate change for two weeks which started on Monday.

Major roads into the French capital will be closed on Sunday and Monday. About 2,800 police and soldiers are guarding the sealed conference venue near Le Bourget airport. Another 6,300 officers are deployed in the city, still reeling from the coordinated onslaught by suicide bombers on restaurants, a concert hall and the national football stadium in which 130 people died.

Initially the authorities urged Parisians to leave their cars at home and take public transport instead, which will be free on both days. However, the authorities are now effectively asking people to stay at home, urging them not even to take public transport “except in case of necessity”.

Wide Paris-area highways usually packed with commuters are cordoned off to clear the way for President Barack Obama and 150 other world leaders joining critical talks about fighting global warming.

France’s interior minister says 174 protesters are in detention facing possible charges after clashing with riot police on the eve of a critical climate conference.

Bernard Cazeneuve said Sunday a total of 208 people were arrested after the clashes, but some were later released.