The suspects appeared to be “prepared to act” in another possible attack, Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said, noting their weaponry, structured organization and determination.
Advertisement
A source close to the investigation said the female bomber who was killed might have been Abaaoud’s cousin.
“I expressed the condolences of President Obama and the people of the United States to President Hollande and I thanked him for the extraordinary response of the French people, the courage that they have exhibited”.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry detailed the non-combat response by America during a press conference as the French and Russians bomb ISIS strongholds in the Middle East. Kerry said a “big transition” in Syria will occur in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Thursday warned that France could face chemical or biological terror attacks, as Belgian security forces launched six raids in Brussels in connection with last week’s deadly assaults in Paris.
At least 129 people were killed when terrorists struck multiple locations Friday in Paris, and more than 350 others were wounded.
Salah Abdeslam was questioned and then released by police after crossing the border into Belgium after the Paris attacks, the Telegraph reports.
News reported Monday that two people have been arrested and charged with “participating in a terrorist attack” on Saturday, as per Belgian authorities.
At least three of the seven suicide bombers have been identified as French citizens, with two believed to have been living in Belgium prior to the attacks.
French media reported that during the raids police found a safe house used by the attackers in Bobigny, a suburb of Paris.
Paris and Moscow are not coordinating their air strikes, but French President Francois Hollande is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on November 26 to discuss how their countries’ militaries might work together.
Seven attackers died that night – three around the national stadium, three inside the Bataclan concert hall, and one at a restaurant nearby.
Salah Abdeslam, one of the suspected gunmen who is now the focus of an global manhunt, was not among those arrested, the prosecutor added.
Two of the nine have been charged with terrorist murder and belonging to a terrorist group, the official said. “I didn’t know them”, the unidentified man told BFMTV.
And Abaaoud claimed he was able to “safely” travel back to Syria.
Advertisement
As Belgian officials defending their intelligence record pointed out, others among the attackers were based in France, and there were signs those involved had contact with others who have taken part in violence in France before. They also said they did not see any weapons on him.
