The main threat facing France is that of terrorism and the country's defence system needs to reflect that, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said.

He is presenting a major overhaul of the military which includes cutting more than 50,000 defence jobs and boosting intelligence resources.

He wants to create a smaller, more mobile army that will be better equipped to respond to such threats.

He is outlining his new strategy to some 3,000 senior officers in Paris.

"Today, the most immediate threat is that of a terrorist attack", he said.

"The threat is there, it is real Paris makes Dalai Lama honorary citizen ...
Live - Premier League ... and we know that it could tomorrow take on a new form, even more serious, with nuclear, chemical and biological means."

His speech follows the release of the details of France's first major defence review in 14 years, under which some 54,000 military and civilian defence jobs will be cut.

France will trim its army, navy and air force from 271,000 troops to 224,000, with the army alone set for a 24% cut.

However, he said the intelligence budget for new satellites, drones and other surveillance equipment would double.

(BBC)

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