(VOVworld) – France's Lower House of Parliament approved Thursday a two-month extension of the state of emergency until after the Euro 2016 football tournament and the Tour de France. A state of emergency has been in place since a series of terrorist attacks in November.

Emergency services personnel take part in a training exercise in St Etienne to prepare for a possible chemical attack during the Euro 2016 football championships. (Photo: ZUMA Press)

Adopted by the Upper House last week, the measure came as France believes the level of alert for terrorist attacks remains high in France and the EU, said French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.
Euro 2016, which will be held from June 10 to July 10, is expected to draw approximately two million football fans. The Tour de France will take place from July 2 to 24.