France's interior minister says some Islamist groups in France want to avenge the death of a Muslim radical, who the government says was responsible for the killing of seven people in a shooting spree in the country's south.

Claude Gueant, speaking on French radio Europe 1 Friday, said that authorities have observed increased "desire" and "enthusiasm" among such groups to avenge the death of Mohamed Merah, a Frenchman of Algerian descent, who died in a standoff with police last month.

President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is seeking re-election in an upcoming poll, has put security high up on the agenda.

Gueant called on the people to be "vigilant and attentive."