France remembers priest murdered in Daesh-linked attack

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS (AA) - An 85-year-old Catholic priest murdered during an attack by two Daesh-linked teenagers while celebrating Mass in northern France a year ago was remembered in a religious service on Wednesday.

President Emmanuel Macron was present for the service in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, Normandy, where Father Jacques Hamel had his throat cut after two 19-year-old assailants stormed his church outside Rouen.

The two armed attackers, who had also taken four other people hostage, were later shot dead by police.

Last July's attack was claimed by the Daesh terrorist group.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Interior Minister Gerard Collomb also attended the commemoration with religious figures, which included representatives of France's Muslim and Jewish communities.

Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen told the congregation: "Hatred has not triumphed and will not triumph. In this church, Father Hamel spoke the language of love."