After Nice, "the threat is everywhere" against the French abroad, warns Le Drian
Rally against France and Emmanuel Macron's support for the freedom to caricature, in Karachi on October 30, 2020. AP Photo / Fareed Khan
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The French Minister of Foreign Affairs called on French nationals living abroad to be cautious in the aftermath of the Nice attack, believing that the threat against French interests was "everywhere".
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On leaving the Defense Council around Emmanuel Macron on Friday, the head of French diplomacy wanted to alert all French people outside the national territory.
"
The message of emergency attack [highest level of the" vigipirate "security plan, editor's note] was sent [Thursday] evening to all of our nationals abroad, regardless of the location, since the threat is all over.
"
The
anti-French protests
and
calls for boycotts
of French products have increased since the last weekend in the Muslim world to denounce the support provided by President Emmanuel Macron freedom to caricature.
After the
attack on a security guard at the French consulate
in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, announced on Thursday, clashes erupted in Beirut on Friday, near the residence of the French embassy.
From virtual hatred to real violence
"
We are moving quickly from virtual hatred to real violence, and we have decided to take all measures to ensure the security of our interests, of our nationals,
" continued Jean-Yves Le Drian, specifying that instructions had been given to the ambassadors “
so that they can strengthen security mechanisms
” around French presences around the world (embassies, consulates but also Alliances Françaises or schools).
A few weeks after the assassination of the teacher
Samuel Paty
, beheaded for showing his students caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad as part of a course on freedom of expression, the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke of special vigilance around schools.
"
We have also taken the decision not to authorize the opening of schools until the moment when vigilance has been increased and attention will have been paid to parents, teachers and students.
", Explained Jean-Yves Le Drian, noting that these measures were taken"
in relation with the local authorities who, in general, provide us with their assistance
".
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See also: Caricatures: new demonstrations against France in Pakistan
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Statement at the end of the Restricted Defense and National Security Council https://t.co/nfsI45obM9
Elysee (@Elysee) October 30, 2020
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France
Terrorism
Jean-Yves Le Drian
French abroad
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