A young man was detained on Friday at an airport in southern France as he returned from Iraqi or Syrian "combat zones" via Turkey, a source close to the case said.

Aged "less than 20", the French national was on a wanted list and was immediately taken in for questioning by intelligence services after his arrest at Nice airport, the source said.

France is particularly concerned about nationals going to fight in the Middle East, amid fears they will return to commit attacks on home soil.

Approximately 580 French citizens have gone to join fights in Syria, of which 189 have come back, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said.

However, on Tuesday, authorities were left red-faced after a series of blunders saw three suspected extremists walk free out of a French airport after being transferred from Turkish custody.

The government was spared further blushes after the men handed themselves over to police on Wednesday, while the trio are still in custody.

Yet, the incident sparked concern at a time of high alert after Daesh threats against the country.

Source: Agencies