Paris (AFP)

France, which refused to accede to the request for political asylum of American whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2013, "has no reason to change its point of view," said Thursday his foreign minister , Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Mr Snowden had said he "would very much like" France to grant him asylum in an interview with French public radio France Inter broadcast last Saturday.

"For the moment, it's a request by the media but a priori I do not see any reason to change our point of view," responded the head of the French diplomacy interviewed on the CNEWS television channel, noting that Edward Snowden "resides in Moscow".

"He had asked for asylum in France, but also elsewhere, in 2013. At that time, France had considered that it was not appropriate, I do not see today what has changed nor a political point of view or from a legal point of view, "insisted Jean-Yves Le Drian.

An employee of the US intelligence agency NSA turned whistleblower, Edward Snowden revealed in 2013 the existence of a global monitoring system of communications and internet.

The United States charged him with spying and stealing state secrets.

Mr Snowden has sought the protection of more than twenty countries, including France and Germany, who have been refused for one reason or another.

He fled to Russia in 2013, where his residence permit was renewed until 2020.

© 2019 AFP