France, March 25 -- French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said Sunday that the country was raising its security alert to the highest level after Friday's Moscow concert hall attack that left 137 people dead and nearly 200 injured.

"Given the claim of responsibility for the attack by the Islamic State and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate state to its highest level: emergency attack," said Attal, raising the level again just three months after it was lowered in January.

President Emmanuel Macron called in his top ministers and advisors on Sunday night to the Elysee Palace to discuss the implications of the assault at the Crocus City Hall just outside the Russian capital on Friday evening.

They wi...