- France church attack: Men 'slit elderly priest's throat' after taking hostages at Normandy church
- France church attack: Two men armed with knives shot dead after taking hostages in Normandy church
Two armed men who murdered a priest in an attack on a French church claimed to be members of Isis, the President has said.
“The cowardly assassination of the priest [was carried out by] two terrorists who claimed to be followers of Daesh (Isis),” he added.
Speaking from the scene of the attack in Normandy, Francois Hollande said France was “at war” with the terrorist group.
He condemned the “cowardly assassination” of the church’s 84-year-old priest, whose throat was slit by the attackers.
Praising the work of emergency services who killed the men and freed five hostages, including one who is in a serious condition, Mr Hollande said he had spoken to the three uninjured victims in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.
“I have met the family of the priest and I also wanted to talk to the people who had been held hostage and express pain, sadness and also the will to understand why this happened.”
The French President said the so-called Islamic State had declared war on his country and that the government would fight the group “with all means possible”.
Calling on citizens not to be divided by the attack, Mr Hollande added that his thoughts were with...
