French assembly votes to extend state of emergency for three months amid chemical warfare fears

With France still reeling from the attacks that killed 129 and wounded hundreds, France’s lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, has voted to extend a state of emergency for three months. The measure now goes to the Senate, where it is likely to be approved.

The state of emergency expands police powers to carry out arrests and searches, and allows authorities to forbid the movement of people and vehicles at specific times and places.

Prime minister Manuel Valls had pressed for the state of emergency extension, warning that Islamic extremists might use chemical or biological weapons.