At a campaign rally in Strasbourg French President Nicolas Sarkozy says the recent shootings in Toulouse are the crimes of a quote "monster and fanatic."
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY, SAYING:
"I would like to say that these crimes are not the crimes of a mad person. Because a mad person is irresponsible. These crimes are those of a monster and a fanatic.
He says France is not to blame.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY, SAYING:
No, France is not guilty, no, there isn't an environment in France that could explain these crimes because these crimes are inexplicable and inexcusable."
The shootings of French soldiers, Jewish schoolchildren and a rabbi by a home-grown Islamist gunman killed by police has upended France's presidential election campaign and resurrected conservative Sarkozy's prospects.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
