France's Defence Council meets in Paris

France's Defence Council met at the Elysee Palace in France on Friday morning to discuss Thursday night's attack in Nice.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was pictured hurrying into the meeting, which will also include President Francois Hollande.

Hollande has already announced that a state of emergency put in place last year is to be extended for a further three months.

Former president Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday morning said he agreed with the decision, saying it had been "absolutely necessary" to extend the emergency powers given to police and security forces.

"We are in a war that will last, with a threat that is constantly renewing itself," he said.

"Adaptation and continuously strengthening our fight plan against Islamist terrorism remains a top priority.

"A firmness and exceptional constant vigilance will be needed for a long time. Nothing can be as before, "he said.