1. Various of French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arriving in room, preparing to speak
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Defence Minister:
"After several defence councils, the President of the Republic (Francois Hollande) has decided to extend as long as necessary the measures of protection of the national territory the way it is currently set up. It will be the case until, at least, the beginning of the summer when it will be reassessed. Today, these 10,000 soldiers (deployed) enable our army to protect 682 sites in mainland France and overseas."
3. Pan of journalists, Le Drian at lectern
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Defence Minister:
"I add that we are facing other threats. I especially think about the legitimate worry that we can have on European security, as a neighbouring country, Ukraine, is going through a deep crisis. This crisis makes us fear what everybody has been trying to avoid since the end of Word War 1: the recurrence of a war in Europe. A war in Europe is what everybody must dread when borders are being challenged and when international law is trampled."
5. Le Drian at lectern
6. Cutaway of journalists
7. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Defence Minister:
"Africans and Europeans must work together to avoid the Sahel region becoming the core of terrorism. That is why our partners can today count on the logistical and intelligence support of the French army, determined to play a full role in this fight."
France's government is extending special "anti-terrorism" measures at least until early summer, with tens of thousands of security forces protecting hundreds of religious, tourist and other sites since deadly attacks in January in the country.
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told journalists on Wednesday that the measures would be re-evaluated in early summer but could remain beyond that.
He said 7,000 troops will be permanently assigned to "counter terrorist" protection.
Le Drian said that French President Francois Hollande decided on Wednesday to extend the measures "as long as necessary."
He also mentioned the "legitimate worry" on the European security "as a neighbouring country, Ukraine, is going through a deep crisis."
"This crisis makes us fear what everybody has been trying to avoid since the end of Word War 1: the recurrence of a war in Europe," he added.
Some 10,000 soldiers are among the tens of thousands of security forces deployed since the January 7-9 attacks on a Paris kosher market and a satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
Twenty people, including the three gunmen, were killed.
