PARIS, April 21 (KUNA) -- Three of France's eleven presidential candidates announced Friday they were suspending campaigning around the country because of Paris attacks Thursday night in which a police officer and the gunman died, and three other people were injured, two of them police.
Front-runner independent candidate Emmanuel Macron, National Front leader Marine Le Pen and Republicans candidate Francois Fillon all announced publicly that they have cancelled mass rallies planned for Friday around the country.
Security for the candidates has been beefed up since last Tuesday after two men were arrested in the southern city of Marseille in possession of automatic weapons and explosives and believed to be planning a pre-election terrorist operation.
The shooting in Paris has added to tensions around the campaign.
All public pronouncements and campaigning by the eleven candidates must stop by law at midnight Friday, in any event.
Voting takes place Sunday to select two from the eleven contenders and they will then move on to a second round vote to elect the President of France on May 7. (end) jk.gta