Welcome to our coverage of the Toulouse siege as, after a long night, the stand-off between elite police and the man suspected of carrying out a string of murders that has shaken France enters its second day.

Here's a quick recap:

• Mohamed Merah, 24, has been pinned down since Wednesday morning in a Toulouse flat after a raid in which police captured his brother but had to pull back when three officers were shot and wounded. The scene is completely surrounded by heavily armed police from Raid, the French specialist anti-terrorist and hostage response squad.

• Explosions have been ringing out at varied intervals overnight, with the stated aim of authorities being to intimidate Merah, tire him out and convince him that there is no escape, while putting themselves and others in as little danger as possible.

• At over 24 hours it has become one of France's longest ever police sieges – comparisons have been drawn with the Neuilly hostage crisis of 1993, which went on for 46 hours.

• Merah is blamed for the shooting murders of three schoolchildren and a rabbi at a Jewish school in Toulouse, and for gunning down three soldiers in Toulouse and nearby Montauban. He has called himself an al-Qaida fighter and declared he would have killed more people given the chance.

Police have lost contact with Merah and there has been no sign of life from his apartment for 10 hours, the French interior minister has said.

"There was no movement during the night. We hope he is still alive," Claude Guéant told RTL radio. He said two shots had been heard during the night.

"Despite renewed efforts all through the night to reestablish contact by voice and radio, there has been no contact, no showing from him," he said, adding that he still hoped Merah could be captured alive.

Rain poured down on police, firefighters, media and around a dozen bystanders who spent the night outside the apartment.

Merah, a French citizen of Algerian origin, boasted to police negotiators on Wednesday night that he had brought France to its knees and said his only regret was not having been able to carry out plans for more killings.

He has told negotiators that he killed the seven to avenge the deaths of Palestinian children and because of French army involvement in Afghanistan.

France's Raid commando unit detonated three explosions just before midnight on Wednesday, flattening the main door of the building and blowing a hole in the wall, after it became clear Merah did not mean to keep a promise to turn himself in.

They continued to fire shots roughly every hour, and stepped up the pace at dawn with two loud explosions that sounded like grenades. Analysts said police were attempting to exhaust the gunman and make him easier to capture unharmed.

"These were moves to intimidate the gunman who seems to have changed his mind and does not want to surrender," said interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet.

Merah — who authorities say has a weapons cache in the apartment including an Uzi and a Kalashnikov assault rifle — wounded two officers on Wednesday.

There's increasing speculation about the two shots that were heard overnight — as you can tell from Guéant's language. The interior minister says it's "rather strange" that Merah did not react to the detonations overnight.

"We hope that he is still alive," he said, stressing that authorities' priority is to capture him alive. He said the gunman earlier told negotiators that he wanted to "die with weapons in his hands".

Guéant has given Le Figaro a blunt update on the latest intelligence: "We don't know if he's dead or alive."

The minister has also defended the actions of France's national intelligence service, the DCRI, who are facing questions about why they followed Merah but did not foresee the murder spree of which he stands accused:

The DCRI follows a lot of people who are involved in radical islamism. Expressing ideas and jihadist opinions is not sufficent grounds for bringing someone up before the courts."

Le Figaro has a fascinating piece on sieges and sleep deprivation here. It is, not surprisingly, in French. The article points out that while it's hard for most people to stay awake for more than 30 hours, Raid officers have access to amphetamines, which enable them to stay awake for three days. The strategy in a situation like this, apparently, is to keep the suspect awake till they break — hence the explosions through the night. The piece also includes quotes from a former Raid officer who explains why sleeping gas isn't used in these situations.

We don't do that — it's a myth. No rapid deployment force — even abroad — employs that technique. For that, you need a totally confined space without any ventilation. If a door opens or a window's half open, the stuff doesn't work. And it's very difficult to get the right dose when it comes to that kind of gas; too strong a dose could kill someone."

As our Paris correspondent, Angelique Chrisafis reports, France's attention is now firmly fixed on how Merah managed to kill and elude the authorities for so long despite being known to — and followed by — the French intelligence services.

The French foreign minister, Alain Juppé, told French radio "all light must be shed" on whether there had been any intelligence failing on Merah.

French media are beginning to ask why and how Merah, who had been under police surveillance for years, and was last interviewed by intelligence services in November last year, was not apprehended earlier in his spree of three shootings, which began on 11 March when he shot dead a soldier. He struck again on 15 March shooting two more soldiers, and wounding another. On 19 March, he struck at the gates of a Jewish school killing a rabbi and three children.

Marine Le Pen of the extreme right Front National, has been giving her take on the siege and the issues it raises to France Info.

She says she is finding the stand-off "a bit long" and thinks the authorities are taking some "absolutely unbelievable precautions for a man who's there on his own and doesn't have any hostages". Le Pen also questions whether the intelligence services could have done more to track Merah. "We should know everything about that man. Have the intelligence services done everything possible from their end?" she asks, adding that they need to keep track of the Islamist fundamentalism that "is developing in France". She goes on: "For 10 years, I've argued that some entire neighbourhoods are in the hands of Islamist fundamentalists and I repeat that it is a danger that we are underestimating."

As the siege stretches on, it's a good time to consider the events that led to it. If you haven't already read it, Angelique's piece on Monday's horrific murders at the Ozar Hatorah Jewish secondary school is well worth a look:

Just before 8am, Ethel Guedj dropped off two of her sons, aged 15 and 11, at the Ozar Hatorah private Jewish secondary school in a quiet residential street of north east Toulouse. As usual, there were young children milling in front of the gates, waiting to be taken to the nearby primary school. Guedj's sons followed other teenagers into morning prayers and had barely put down their briefcases when they heard shots ring out …

According to Le Figaro, the French interior minister, Claude Guéant, is now on the scene and at a command post 50m from the flat. He's having a technical briefing with senior police chiefs and the Paris prosecutor.

France Info and others have noted the arrival of a black van from the GIPN — the National Police Intervention Group. It seems a member of the GIPN in full kit has already reconnoitred the apartment block.

Three explosions reported at the scene ...

New blasts are stronger than last night's and an ambulance has just entered the security cordon, reports France Info.

Police sources tell France Info the explosions were sonic grenades, designed to deafen and disorientate suspects

While we wait to see what the three explosions might signify, here's some expert commentary.

Frédéric Gallois, a former commander of the French armed forces' special operation outfit, the GIGN (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) has been talking to France Info about the siege.

If this individual has stopped talking, it doesn't mean he's dead. He might have decided to slip back into another confrontational phase with the police. He's been surprised: he thought he'd be able to continue his offensive and carry on with the killings and it's clear that he hadn't prepared anything (in the event of a siege)."

Gallois also said that dogs or a robot could be sent into the building on a reconnaissance mission.

The assault is under way, reports Le Figaro. Raid commandos may already be in the flat. One of the paper's reporters says three fire engines and a GIPN van are at the scene. Looks as though we could be close to a conclusion after more than 30 hours ...

Police sources are saying "the siege is coming to an end", but it's hard to get much more information as journalists at the scene are being kept behind a security barrier a little way from the block of flats.

French media have footage of the blown-out windows of Merah's flat — apparently as a result of the blasts. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Raid officers are already in the flat.

Barcelona's La Vanguardia is reporting that French police told Spain that Merah was believed to be attending a jihadist meeting in Girona in 2011. The Guardia Civil looked into the tip but were unable to confirm the presence of the suspect, the paper says.

Police are in the flat and are proceeding "step-by-step", a police source tells Le Figaro. They still don't know whether Merah is dead or alive as he hasn't shown himself.

According to TF1, Merah is in the bathroom of his flat. Apparently police are breaking down the walls one-by-one to get to him but are taking a "slow approach"

Angelique reports hearing a volley of gunshots.

"Volley of shots heard and bigger blasts, ongoing," says Angelique.

Angelique is now hearing "what sounds like v heavy machine gunfire, lengthy and ongoing ..."

Police are telling France Info that Merah is resisiting the officers. One of its reporters says gunfire coming from more than one place, suggesting a possible firefight.

Angelique, at the scene, reports "sustained automatic weaponfire and smaller shots, with at least two very loud explosion blasts. All between around 11h25 and 11h31".

France Info: "According to police, the suspect is dead." Angelique now hearing silence after much gunfire.

AFP now quoting police sources who say Merah is dead. Still awaiting official confirmation.

Frédéric Gallois, the former GIGN commander who spoke to France Info earlier has just told them: "Given the number of shots fired, he'd prepared a last stand to try to kill as many officers as possible in the attack."

France Info reporting three policemen injured - one "quite seriously".

Ambulances are moving closer to the flats, says Angelique.

If you've just joined us, police in Toulouse are reported to have killed Mohammed Merah after a siege of more than 30 hours. News of the death comes via AFP at the moment. We await confirmation from other sources.

"A lot of movement by fire and emergency services outside the flats," says Angelique, who's tweeting here. "Fire truck moves closer to the building. Elite squad in black and helmets running out of the block ... Police union rep at the cordon says, 'He's dead, he's dead'."

Police union rep at the cordon says, 'He's dead, he's dead' #Toulouse — Angelique Chrisafis (@achrisafis) March 22, 2012

Le Monde says 300 cartridges were used in the firefight and that Merah was carrying a bag with unknown contents.

Police source has confirmed the death to Le Figaro.

The French interior minister, Claude Guéant, has confirmed that Merah is dead and paid tribute to the police who conducted the raid.

"Last night, our last contact with the killer showed us just how dangerous he was. This morning the decison was taken to intervene," said Guéant.



Mohammed Merah jumped out of the window, weapon in hand, and carried on firing. He was found dead on the ground."

Guéant adds that Merah burst out of the bathroom as video surveillance equipment approached. He began firing with extreme ferocity.

Sarkozy will address the nation at 1pm French time, but here is a statement from his office:



The president of the Republic congratulates the security team following the conclusion of the tragic events of Montauban and Toulouse. Our thoughts at this time are with those who were killed and wounded by the alleged killer."

A police source has told France Info that Merah was shot dead as he jumped from the window.

Here's a fuller account of the raid from Guéant:

At 10.30am, three grenades were thrown into the flat. There was no reaction. Raid officers then entered the flat. They went in through the door and through a window. "Video equipment was deployed to inspect different rooms in the flat. No sign of him was found. But as the equipment inspected the bathroom, Mohammed Merah burst out — apparently armed with several weapons — and fired with extreme ferocity. One Raid officer, who's taken part in many operations, told me he'd never seen such an intense and violent assault. "Raid officers returned fire. The snipers opposite attempted to neutralise him. In the end, Mohammed Merah jumped through a window, gun in hand and carried on firing. He was found dead on the ground."

The French socialist presidential candidate, Francois Hollande, has paid tribute to the "courage and determination" of the security forces involved in the operation, adding:

This ordeal is a reminder that the fight against terrorism is a non-stop battle. We cannot afford to show any weakness whatsoever. The Republic is always stronger."

Time for a quick summary:



• After a siege lasting more than 31 hours, Mohammed Merah, the man suspected of the murders of three soldiers and four Jewish civilians, has been killed by police in Toulouse

• Merah died after elite officers stormed the apartment where he had been holed up. He returned fire with "extreme ferocity" and is thought to have died when police commandos shot him as he jumped from a window

• Two police commandos wounded during the raid

• President Sarkozy congratulates officers and says his thoughts are with those who were killed and wounded by the killer

This is Haroon Siddique, taking over from Sam for a while.

Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured left) is speaking.

"The killer has been identified ...he cannot harm children, soldiers and the military."

He thanks the police, interior ministry and justice ministry.

Everything was done to bring him to justice but we could not risk any more lives.

People "should not give rein to our anger".

"Our Muslim compatriots had nothing to do with this killer."

He reminds people that Muslims were among those allegedly killed by Merah.

Sarkozy says there should be "no stigamatisation" of the Muslim community.

He calls for a crackdown on people supporting terrorism online and people going to terrorist training camps overseas. He says there will be inquiries to see if Merah had accomplices. He adds:

We cannot accept that our prisons become centres for brainwashing and teaching terrorism.

He ends with a call for unity.

Here's Sarkozy's announcement that France will make it a crime to consult websites that advocate terrorism or hate crimes, and will toughen its treatment of those who use prisons for ideological indoctrination.

From now on, any person who habitually consults websites that advocate terrorism or that call for hatred and violence will be criminally punished … France will not tolerate forced recruitment or ideological indoctrination on its soil … Our prisons should not become breeding grounds for indoctrination."

There's still a little confusion over the precise circumstances of Merah's death. However, a police source has told TF1 that "he was dead when he hit the ground", suggesting he was shot as he leapt from the window.

Angelique Chrisafis, in Toulouse, said two police officers were shot in the foot during the raid – their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening – and a third is suffering from shock. She described how this morning's events unfolded:

We'd been waiting for absolutely hours and they'd just been silence all morning. We'd expected something to happen overnight and then suddenly, at about 11.25am (10.25am GMT) there was a very loud volley of machine [gun] fire and then over about six minutes, we know now, there were about 300 shots exchanged. There were very loud automatic weapons being fired. There were some lesser shots and there were at least two very big explosions which the French police referred to as flash bangs so they were on there way into the flat Police first blew off the font door with a big explosion then they went in very carefully with video equipment before them, sort of scoping the apartment. At first they couldn't find Merah at all. They looked in all the rooms and the toilet, he wasn't there. Then they focuses on the bathroom and when they went forward to push this video equipment towards the bathroom, that was when he burst out.

Angelique said it seems unlikely the fall from Merah's flat was what killed him:

Neighbours I spoke to said he lived on the ground floor flat, a couple of people said first floor. In any case it wasn't very high up so there are questions to be asked about how he actually died.

She said of Nicolas Sarkozy's address after Merah's death:

The French presidential election is five weeks away so this is a really crucial moment for Sarkozy – he's in a battle for re-election. He gave a very poised address to the nation where he said 'this is nothing to do with French Muslims, we have to be very careful here, Muslims were killed in these attacks as well, because there were two Muslim soliders shot before the attack on the Jewish school. So he was very cautious in wanting France to stand together on this. He also announced a few concrete measures where he said that anyone consulting any kind of extremist, fundamentalist website would become punishable under the law. This would have to be a new law that would be introduced. He said people travelling abroad as we know Merah did for example to Afghanistan, or to [terrorist] training camps on the border with Pakistan would also become punishable by law and he also, very interestingly, promised an inquiry into radicalisation of people in prison, which seems to be the case of Merah.

French anti-terrorism prosecutor Francois Molins is providing more details of the siege that ended in Merah's death. He says Merah was shot in the head by a police sniper after attempts to arrest him failed.

Key factor in investigations was the information provided by the scooter dealership used by Merah and his brother, says prosecutor. A worker in the dealership remembered a customer asking how to turn off the anti-theft GPS tracker on his T-Max, and informed the police. That enabled them to track down Merah.

Prosecutor says Merah "had not drawn" attention of intelligence services after returning from Pakistan and Afghanistan. He adds that lots of people travel to those countries.

Molins stresses that police did their best to arrest Merah rather than kill him:



Everything was done to try to arrest him alive."

The Toulouse prosecutor won't be drawn on whether the police operation will be judged a success or failure. The point, he says, is that the threat Merah posed has been removed.

It now appears that five police officers were "lightly injured" during the operation, one of them in the foot.

More details of the firefight are emerging.

It seems that Merah fired 30 shots at Raid officers and that he was wearing a bullet-proof jacket and had molotov cocktails and further ammunition in the flat.

The anti-terror prosecutor said that the gun Merah used to shoot at officers was a Colt .45. (He told police yesterday that he had an Uzi and a Kalashnikov.) Apparently, he kept firing at officers with the handgun as he moved to the window from which he jumped.

Le Monde has spoken to the French ministry of defence, who say Merah tried to join the army only once. (There were reports yesterday that he had made two attempts.) The ministry said he tried to join the French Foreign Legion in July 2010 and spent a night at a recruitment centre. However, he left of his own accord without undergoing any selection tests.

According to Prosecutor Molins, Merah filmed all three attacks, and claimed to have posted them online. Police have viewed the videos.

Molins said that during the first murder — the killing on 11 March of a paratrooper — Merah is heard on the video saying" "You kill my brothers; I kill you."

When killing two other paratroopers four days later in the nearby town of Montauban, he cried out "Allahu Akbar," or "God is great" in Arabic.

At the violent end of a 32-hour siege involving hundreds of police officers, Mohammed Merah appears to have fulfilled his desire to "die with weapons in my hands". He is believed to have been responsible for the murder of three soldiers, a rabbi and three Jewish childen in killings that have shaken France. The French prosecutor said he had filmed all three attacks.

Here's a summary of today's events.

• Merah, 23, was shot dead by a police sniper as he jumped out of the window of the flat where he had been holed up

• Five police officers were "lightly" injured in this morning's assault. Merah is said to have met police with "extreme ferocity" when they stormed the flat, firing 30 rounds at them from a handgun

• The French authorities say "everything was done to try to arrest him alive"

• An autopsy on his body will be carried out in Bordeaux this afternoon

• President Sarkozy has said France will make it a crime to consult websites that advocate terrorism or hate crimes, adding that French prisons "should not become breeding grounds for indoctrination"