Hollande says machete-wielding attack 'savage assault'

French President Francois Hollande on Friday called the machete-wielding attack near the Louvre Museum a "savage attack," reiterating his determination to combat terrorism and ensure security at home.

Xinhua news agency quoted a statement issued by Hollande's office, wherein he "reaffirms the state's determination to act relentlessly to defend the security of our compatriots and fight terrorism."

The French president also "salutes the courage and determination" of the soldiers who succeeded in neutralising the attacker.

Earlier on Friday, an "aggressive" man armed with a machete, yelling Allahu Akbar (God is Great) menaced soldiers who were securing the capital's landmark museum.

The attacker, whose identity remains unknown, slightly injured one serviceman before the other soldiers fired five bullets at him, according to Paris prefect Michel Cadot.

In a statement, the public prosecutor opened an anti-terrorism inquiry into the attack which Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said was "obviously of a terrorist nature."

France has been the target of terrorist groups in response to its military operations in Syria, Iraq and the Sahel region.

An attack, claimed by the Islamic State, took the lives of 86 people when a man drove a truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the southern French city of Nice last summer.

--IANS

qd/bg