François Hollande Vows to Defend France's Republican Ideals

PARIS — President François Hollande of France on Thursday sought to reassure a nation still shaken by the recent terrorist attacks in and around Paris, saying that the country would not be cowed by terrorists and would defend its republican ideals of liberty and free expression against those who sought to undermine them.

Speaking at a news conference amid the gilded splendor of the Élysée Palace, Mr. Hollande said that France would fight Islamic radicalism, train imams and reinforce French education in schools to help foster a sense of civic identity among all French people. He also pledged to ensure the security of the country’s mosques.

Mr. Hollande said legislation aimed at updating the legal framework for intelligence and surveillance operations would be introduced in Parliament in March.

Mr. Hollande said the terrorist attacks had altered him. Alluding to the rise in his popularity, he said that he would not be hostage to polls. “I have inevitably changed after these events,” he said. “It transforms you, necessarily, because this ordeal has also changed our country.”

Maïa de la Baume and Aurelien Breeden contributed reporting.

The New York Times