France to deploy its biggest warship to take on ISIS as President Francois Hollande vows to intensify fight in Syria and Iraq
The massive Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier will be sent to the Middle East in the autumn
France's fearsome aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle will be deployed to battle ISIS in the wake of last night's horror in Nice.
Hours after the deadly attack - which saw a crazed driver plough through crowds, killing 84 people - President Francois Hollande reaffirmed his commitment to fight terrorism abroad.
In his speech, he referred to announcements given the previous day which included the redeployment of the massive warship.
He said: "Nothing will lead us to give in to our will to fight against terrorism. We are going to strengthen our efforts in Syria and Iraq against those who are attacking us on our very soil."
The ship - the largest currently commissioned in Western Europe - will return to the Mediterranean Sea in autumn.
Hollande had declared: "The battle group, which includes the Charles de Gaulle, will again be redeployed to Operation Chammal... because we have to strike back at those who attacked us here in January and November 2015."
In his announcement following the Nice attack, he pledged to hold firm against the terrorist threat.
"France as a whole is under the threat of Islamist terrorism. We have to demonstrate absolute vigilance and show determination that is unfailing."
He also pledged 10,000 troops to help police shore up domestic security, and asked for military 'volunteers' to help national cops.
The incident came just hours after he had declared he was preparing to take France out of a state of emergency. That state of emergency, imposed after the Paris attacks last November and due to end on July 26, has now been extended by a further three months.
Hollande, who was previously in Avignon, immediately spoke with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls as the crisis unfolded.
It is one of the worst attacks in Nice's history with video showing the massacre unfolding as a white lorry drove through crowds celebrating Bastille Day.
The introduction of the inter-ministerial crisis talks comes just hours after Hollande signalled he was prepared to take the country out of its nine months as a state of emergency after the November 13 attack on Paris.
The attack, which left 130 people dead, saw France extend the terror threat three times to ensure the safety of the country, particularly during the Euro2016 tournament.
The President said: "We had to prolong the state of emergency until we could be sure that the law gives us the means to counter the terrorist threat effectively.
"We can't prolong the state of emergency forever. That would make no sense, it would mean that we were no longer a republic with laws which can apply in all circumstances."
The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has released a statement overnight, saying the attack was a "barbaric act" and calling on France to have a similar response of unity that it had after the November 13 attacks.
Other world leaders have since extended their hand of support and friendship to France in the wake of the horror attacks in Nice.
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Britain's new Prime Minister Theresa May has also been kept up-to-date with the events unfolding in Nice.
A spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a dfay of national celebration."
The country's new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has also tweeted his horror at the unfolding events, saying: "Shocked and saddened by the appalling events in Nice, and the terrible loss of life."
US President Barack Obama released a statement just after the attack, saying France was one of America's oldest allies.
He said: "On the behalf of the American people, I condemn in the strongest terms what appears to be a horrific terrorist attack in Nice, France, which killed and wounded dozens of innocent civilians.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved ones of those killed, and we wish a full recovery for the many wounded."
He said he had directed his team to stay in touch with French officials and offered help to the country, including in investigating the attack and to "bring those responsible to justice".
He said: "We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack.
"On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the ensure world, and we know that the character of the French Republic will ensure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life."
His potential successor, Donald Trump, took to Twitter to share his views, saying: "Another horrific attack, this time in Nice, France. Many dead and injured. When will we learn? It is only getting worse."
