Paris tightens border control ahead of climate talks

 

France has barred from entering the country nearly 1,000 people who were deemed to pose security threats as the nation prepares to host international climate talks, according to the Associated Press.

 

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve on Saturday said border security was tightened ahead of the COP21 Paris Climate Conference “because of the risk these people could represent for public order and security in our country.”

 

{mosads}He added that nearly 15,000 police, gendarmes and customs agents have been deployed to the border.

 

Cazeneuve said the restrictions were imposed hours before the Nov. 13 terrorist attack in which 130 people were killed.

 

France has implemented other security measures ahead of the climate talks, during which 147 world leaders will be present, including ordering stores to pull gas cylinders, domestic solvents and firecrackers from their shelves. They also plan to shut down major traffic corridors around the city.

 

Officials have asked civilians not to use their cars or public transportation this Sunday and Monday.

 

President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be among those in attendance at the Nov. 30 opening of the United Nations conference.

 

The talks will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 and aim to forge the broadest international deal to curb climate change to date.