Is the Côte d’Azur a prime target for an Al-Qaeda attack?

The news may not come as a surprise to those living on the Riviera as the French government is known for their panic reflex-reactions to potential threats of terrorism. However, their widespread anxiety does not bode well for air travellers who may now have to deal with stricter border controls and extended waiting time at the airport.

The French government raised the alarm a few days, following both the terrorist attack in Marrakesh on the 28th of April (where eight French were killed) and the announcement of the Bin Laden’s death last Monday.

The Vigipirate security plan is now all systems go and the terror alert has been stepped up to 'red' across the country. In Paris, tensions are running high and officials are preparing for a possible retaliation by Al-Qaeda on the French capital.

A huge security operation is also underway on the French Riviera with a focus on U.S. companies, railway stations and ports around the region.

The move means random checks at the airport are more likely, there will be greater passenger control and more routine bin inspections.

French interior minister, Claude Guéant, has said that there are threats "everywhere". He fears France will be the subject of a counterattack, fuelled by a desire to avenge bin Laden's death.

Fears have been heightened by the discovery last week by German security service of a secret terrorist hideout and the arrest of three suspects.

Louis Caprioli, former head of l’Anti-terrorisme français (at the Direction de la surveillance du territoire), told press that Germany is not far from France and there may be terrorist camps hidden in other countries that we don’t know about. These camps could be, he said, ready to launch an attack at any minute.

He added that there is nothing stopping terrorists from crossing over to France from other European countries as there are technically no borders in the Schengen area.

AA