French President Francois Hollande has confirmed plans to form a National Guard to help security forces combat terror attacks.

Hollande’s office said a “defence council” will be held early next month and will hammer out the force’s hierarchy and command structure. Parliamentary consultations will follow later in September.

The National Guard will be made up of volunteers from the police, paramilitary police and military. Hollande said that he hopes it will be operational by early autumn.

The announcement came after France suffered two attacks in less than a fortnight this month, with the government coming under fierce criticism for alleged security lapses.