France mosque shooting: 84-year-old 'with far-right links' arrested after shots fired in Bayonne

Suspected gunman reportedly a former candidate of Marine Le Pen's right-wing National Rally party, according to police sources.

Two people were injured on 28 October 2019 when shots were fired near a mosque in Bayonne in southwest France (AFP)

An 84-year-old man has been arrested after shots were fired at a mosque in Bayonne, southern France.

Four shots were fired outside the building on Monday afternoon after a man had attempted to set fire to the mosque's door.

Two people, aged 74 and 78 were seriously injured during the incident which took place while worshippers prayed inside.

They were hurt as they attempted to stop the attacker. Both rushed to Bayonne hospital after being seriously wounded.

The shooter also set a car ablaze while fleeing the area.

The suspected gunman was apprehended at his home 10km away in Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx, police said, adding that they found a gun, gas cylinder and grenades in his possession.

"The suspected assailant was arrested by national police ... my thoughts are with the victims and their family," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on his Twitter account.

A police source added the man had connections to the far right, with a second source adding he was a candidate of Marine Le Pen's National Rally party in 2015, when it was known as National Front.

Ms Le Pen condemned the attack on the mosque, saying the incident "goes against all the values of our movement,".