Hollande announces formation of National Guard

French President Francois Hollande officially announced on Thursday the formation of a National Guard, with the aim of protecting the French people.

The guard will be created from existing police and military reserve forces.

The decision was announced after a meeting in the Elysee Palace with parliamentarians who have analyzed the possibilities of establishing this security body.

The Elysee said in a statement that the country’s defense council will receive notification in early August.

The French presidency stressed that it expects the creation of the body, requested by the opposition after the jihadist attacks in the country in recent months, to take place as soon as possible.

The first National Guard was created on the eve of July 14, 1789 with the aim of maintaining law and order after the expulsion of the Royal army, but completely disappeared in 1871.