French lawmakers back extension of emergency rule after attack

French lawmakers approved a six-month rollover of emergency rule on Wednesday in the wake of last week's truck attack on the city of Nice, the third deadly assault in 18 months for which the Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility.

President Francois Hollande's government remained under pressure, however, over security standards as the head of the regional government in the southern Nice area demanded an inquiry into policing levels on the night of the carnage.

Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel drove a truck into crowds of Bastille Day revelers in the July 14 attack in the Riviera coast resort of Nice, killing 84 people before he was shot dead by police. Around 38 of the 84 killed were foreigners.