French President Jacques Chirac warned Tuesday that the army should prepare itself for more and more external and internal interventions because of increased threats.

"The menaces, in many forms, will not decrease and our armies will continue to be appealed to protect our values and our interests," he said when he was received at the French Defense Ministry by the Defense minister Michele Alliot-Marie for Bastille Day (French National Day on July 14).

"We have to wait, we have to prepare for external commitments always demanding, as well as for an increased vigilance on national territories," he added, referring to terrorist menaces.

"Better adapted to new threats, more active and immediately available, our armed forces every day show their improved ability to ensure the security of the French people and honor our international commitments," Chirac said.

Chirac highlighted some progress made in the army over the last two years, which was seen as his reaffirmation of the priority of the French defense budget, without mentioning the difference between French Finance and Defense Ministers on military equipment budget for 2005.

Sourcve: Xinhua