He has claimed he is acting alone and is seeking revenge, both for the deaths of Palestinians and because of France's foreign military commitments. AFP reported that he had tried unsuccessfully to join the French army in 2008 and again in 2009.
Merah, who police believe filmed the attack at the Ozer Hatorah school, was apparently planning a fourth attack when police caught up with him.
Prosecutor Francois Molins said: "He had foreseen other killings, notably he foresaw another attack this morning, targeting a soldier".
Mr Molins said Merah had displayed no regret for his actions, but boasted of "bringing France to its knees".
President Nicolas Sarkozy, who suspended his re-election campaign following the tragedy, vowed today that terrorism would not be able to "fracture our national community".
An Interior Ministry official told AP that Merah had been under surveillance for several years regarding his "fundamentalist" Islamic views. His brother is also said to have terrorist connections.
