IS 'soldier' carried out French attack

The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility on Saturday for the attack in which a Tunisian drove a truck through a crowd in Nice, killing 84.

At least 10 children and teenagers were killed, with around 50 other children injured. In a statement via its Amaq News Agency, IS said one of its “soldiers” carried out the attack on Thursday night “in response to calls to target nations of coalition states that are fighting (IS)”.

Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel (31) smashed a 19-tonne truck into the crowd of people in the Riviera city who were celebrating Bastille Day, France’s national day. However, police claimed he had no known connection to jihadist groups.

Four men believed to be linked to the Tunisian were arrested on Saturday, a judicial source said.

One of them was arrested on Friday and three others on Saturday morning, the source added. The driver's estranged wife is also being held by the police.

French President Francois Hollande met his defence and security chiefs and cabinet ministers as criticism from the opposition and media mounted over security failings after the third major attack in France in 18 months.

“If we are at war, as the government tells us, then the currency of war is intelligence, learning from experience, analysing failures and victories,” wrote Yann Marec in an editorial for the southern region’s Midi Libre newspaper.