After raids targeting suspected Islamists last Friday, French police have swooped again, taking at least ten people into custody.
The DCRI domestic intelligence service, supported by elite commandos, has made arrests nationwide including in Marseille, according to a police source. Arrests were also carried out in the southern cities of Pau and Valence, and the northeastern town of Roubaix, the source said.
Fears over radical Islam have gripped France since the killings in Toulouse last month of three Jewish children, a rabbi and three soldiers. Since then, President Niocolas Sarkozy, who is fighting for re-election, has vowed to root out any form of militancy.
The raids are not linked to al-Qaeda inspired gunman Mohamed Merah. However, 13 of those detained last week face terrorism charges.
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