The measures announced Wednesday include a system for allowing suspicious parents, and perhaps teachers, to tip off authorities. Those suspected of wanting to become a foreign militant can have their passport withdrawn and their name put in a European security data base.
France believes it has more of its young people joining the Syria war than any other European nation. But the problem _ and the potential risk that those returning home could import terrorist skills with them _ is continental in scope.
The government said Wednesday that nearly 300 French people are currently in Syria, 130 are in transit and 130 others have returned home after one or more tours in Syria, where a 3-year-old civil war has left 150,000 dead and forced millions to flee their homes.
Another 25 French citizens or residents have died on the battlefield. In total, 740 people have been identified as belonging to Syrian networks.
Youths as young as 15, including girls, have left home to fight. Some have been retrieved by their parents and brought home to be criminally charged and jailed.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the plans include preventive measures and ``repressive elements aimed at dismantling networks that expose our country to risks.''
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting that approved the plans, Cazeneuve said France had ``the will to use all means to identify recruiters and suppliers of hatred on the Internet, and dismantle the networks.''
France plans to create an alert system for parents who fear that their children are at risk of taking up war in Syria. Parents would contact the Interior Ministry, which would mobilize social services and the educational system.
Cazeneuve did not elaborate. It wasn't clear whether teachers and parents would, ultimately, be spying on their students and children.
Parents have been pleading with the government to take action to keep their children from becoming terrorists. Some have asked the government to offer clemency to teenagers lured to Syria by Internet propaganda. However, Cazeneuve said those caught on their return must face the courts.
Cazeneuve said France would pass a law permitting the confiscation of passports to stop people suspected of wanting to travel to Syria. He said another proposed law would permit foreign residents to be immediately deported if they are linked by police to terrorism overseas.
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