French police kill man trying to 'burn synagogue'

French police have killed an armed man who wanted to set fire to a synagogue in the north-western city of Rouen, France's interior minister has said.

The man was armed with a knife and when he moved towards police they shot him, reports say.

Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignaol said the attack on the synagogue did not just affect the Jewish community, but the entire city was "battered and in shock".

Police were called at around 06:45 (05:45 GMT) after smoke was seen rising from the synagogue, according to local reports. read more