Missiles to protect Olympics

SURFACE-to-air missiles and SASstyle units focused on killing terrorists were today being put in place for a £350million security operation for the start of the Paris Olympics.

- Peter Allen in Paris

Groups such as Al-Qaeda In the Arabian Peninsula which brought death and destruction to the streets of France in 2015 - have warned they will target prestigious events in France this year, including the Olympics.

The largest peacetime deployment of forces in France's history was finalised yesterday before tonight's opening ceremony on the River Seine. One of the military planners, General Lionel Catar, said: "We're focused and we're ready."

He added that around 75,000 soldiers, police and private security agents would be on duty. All are ready to protect competitors as they progress down the River Seine in 80 barges on Friday evening, in front of some 350,000 spectators.