New French interior ministerto fight terrorism

Photo: New French interior ministerto fight terrorism

The new French interior minister said Tuesday, that threat of a terror attack remains “real” for France and fighting against it will be among her top properties.

Michele Alliot-Marie said she would maintain France's alert level at red, the second-highest in the color-coded system.

"There is a reality. The threat is real for France, as for all Western countries," she said on France-Inter radio.

"We are being very careful."

Alliot-Marie, formerly the defense minister, was named interior minister in the new government formed Friday following the May 6 election of President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Sarkozy served as interior minister before resigning to campaign for the presidency.

She said the alert level would remain at red and "it is going to be that way for some time."

"The fight against terrorism is one of my priorities ... It is becoming a major concern."