French lawmakers approve anti-terrorism law

PARIS, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- France's National Assembly, the parliament's lower house, on Tuesday approved counter-terrorism legislation which empowers police at times when a terror threat is "extreme."

A total of 415 lawmakers endorsed the government's proposal to turn emergency security rules into law; with 127 deputies, notably those representing the hard left, against the legislation.

The new law will grant police more power to search and arrest without a judge's approval and restrict people movements and gatherings.