French police stopped two topless protesters who approached the motorcade of US President Donald Trump as he made his way up the Champs-Elysees to a ceremony in Paris marking 100 years since the end of World War I.

One of the protesters, with slogans written on her body, got within metres of the rear of the motorcade after jumping over a barricade.

She was grabbed by a police officer, while a second woman could be seen being hauled away by security services on the edge of the famous avenue, live television pictures showed.

Inna Shevchenko, one of the leaders of radical feminist group Femen, appeared to claim responsibility for the protest on Twitter.

"FEMEN activists 'welcomed' the cortege of @realDonaldTrump twice on his way to Arc de Triumph," she wrote.

The motorcade briefly paused due to the breach of security before continuing towards the Arc de Triomphe where commemorations for the Armistice are being held with around 70 world leaders.

Three Femen protesters had demonstrated at the Arc De Triomphe on Saturday morning to denounce "war criminals" among the guests at the commemorations in Paris which include leaders from Europe and Africa.

"Welcome war criminals" was written on one of their placards which they held up, while "Fake peacemakers" and "Real dictators" had been daubed on their bodies.&nbsp;

"Most of them are dictators who don't respect human rights," said 24-year-old protester Tara Lacroix, who was detained by police along with the two others.

French police stopped two topless protesters who approached the motorcade of US President Donald Trump as he made his way up the Champs-Elysees to a ceremony in Paris marking 100 years since the end of World War I.

French police stopped two topless protesters who approached the motorcade of US President Donald Trump as he made his way up the Champs-Elysees to a ceremony in Paris marking 100 years since the end of World War I. One of the protesters, with slogans written on her body, got within metres of the rear of the motorcade after jumping over a barricade. She was grabbed by a police officer, while a second woman could be seen being hauled away by security services on the edge of the famous avenue, live television pictures showed. Inna Shevchenko, one of the leaders of radical feminist group Femen, appeared to claim responsibility for the protest on Twitter. "FEMEN activists 'welcomed' the cortege of @realDonaldTrump twice on his way to Arc de Triumph," she wrote. The motorcade briefly paused due to the breach of security before continuing towards the Arc de Triomphe where commemorations for the Armistice are being held with around 70 world leaders. Three Femen protesters had demonstrated at the Arc De Triomphe on Saturday morning to denounce "war criminals" among the guests at the commemorations in Paris which include leaders from Europe and Africa. "Welcome war criminals" was written on one of their placards which they held up, while "Fake peacemakers" and "Real dictators" had been daubed on their bodies. "Most of them are dictators who don't respect human rights," said 24-year-old protester Tara Lacroix, who was detained by police along with the two others.

Police stop protesters approaching Trump motorcade in Paris

Teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe told AFP on Thursday that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain football's greatest players but that his own World Cup heroics could help crown him the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.&nbsp;

Mbappe, 19, inspired France to World Cup victory in Russia with four goals. One of those came in the 4-2 final victory over Croatia as he became just the second teenager after Pele in 1958 to score in the championship match.&nbsp;

He was also voted Young Player of the tournament and has since become Ligue 1's leading scorer with 11 goals as Paris Saint-Germain run away with the French title.&nbsp;

Messi and Ronaldo have won the last 10 Ballon d'Or awards and Mbappe believes that they are still the sport's top A-listers.&nbsp;

"Nobody is doing better at the moment and we can't say it's the end of their era because it will only end when somebody else does better than them," Mbappe told AFP.&nbsp;

However, the young striker added: "I don't think one of them will win the Ballon d'Or this year because it was a World Cup year, and the World Cup takes precedence." While Mbappe thrived at the World Cup, Messi's Argentina and Ronaldo's Portugal bowed out in the last 16.&nbsp;

"But if you take the player in the purest form, there's nobody better yet. This year they were again the best two," added Mbappe.&nbsp;

"Messi finished the best goalscorer in Europe; Ronaldo was the top scorer in the Champions League." Mbappe was speaking to AFP on Thursday at an event organised by watchmakers Hublot, one of his leading sponsors. The last French player to win the coveted Ballon d'Or was Zinedine Zidane after the national team's 1998 World Cup victory.&nbsp;

"Frankly, I hope so (win the Ballon d'Or). We achieved something big. It would not be unjust because that is a strong word, but it would be a shame if a Frenchman does not win it.&nbsp;

"We made history and it would be nice to be rewarded." Croatia's Luka Modric, voted Best Player of the World Cup, remains favourite for the Ballon d'Or.&nbsp;

However, Modric is 14 years Mbappe's senior so the young Frenchman has time on his side.&nbsp;

He will also have time and opportunity to complete his journey from the tough streets of the down-at-heel Paris suburb of Bondy to a life of super-riches.&nbsp;

'Play to win' 
 
Mbappe, who will turn 20 just before Christmas, signed for PSG from Monaco for 180 million euros in 2017 in the second most expensive transfer of all time -- behind PSG teammate Neymar who cost the French champions 222 million euros.&nbsp;

Off the field, he seems destined to match Ronaldo in the commercial stakes. Will his initials "KM" match the brand power of Ronaldo's "CR7"?&nbsp;

"I don't know because CR7 is something big, he has managed to build his brand and become international," said Mbappe.&nbsp;

"Mine is not at this stage yet, I'm changing little by little." That development into the public consciousness saw him dominate the front page of Time magazine in October with the American publisher breathlessly showcasing the teenage as "the future of football".&nbsp;

Mbappe said that he will not be satisfied with winning just one World Cup. When asked what he wants to win next, he said: "All the World Cups that I can play.&nbsp;

"I play to win; if I play four World Cups then I want to win four. We go step by step. I have already won one. You have to prepare and win with your club and with the national team also.&nbsp;

"There are short-term goals before thinking about the 2022 World Cup. But the aim always is to win."&nbsp;

On being tipped to be the next true superstar once Messi and Ronaldo have retired, Mpabbe added: "I cannot control everything that is done and said.&nbsp;

"There is not just the pitch but everything around it must also be managed. It's not easy but I'm learning, I'm still learning. I have people around me who help me overcome the challenges one after the other."

Teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe told AFP on Thursday that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain football's greatest players but that his own World Cup heroics could help crown him the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.

Teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe told AFP on Thursday that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain football's greatest players but that his own World Cup heroics could help crown him the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner. Mbappe, 19, inspired France to World Cup victory in Russia with four goals. One of those came in the 4-2 final victory over Croatia as he became just the second teenager after Pele in 1958 to score in the championship match. He was also voted Young Player of the tournament and has since become Ligue 1's leading scorer with 11 goals as Paris Saint-Germain run away with the French title. Messi and Ronaldo have won the last 10 Ballon d'Or awards and Mbappe believes that they are still the sport's top A-listers. "Nobody is doing better at the moment and we can't say it's the end of their era because it will only end when somebody else does better than them," Mbappe told AFP. However, the young striker added: "I don't think one of them will win the Ballon d'Or this year because it was a World Cup year, and the World Cup takes precedence." While Mbappe thrived at the World Cup, Messi's Argentina and Ronaldo's Portugal bowed out in the last 16. "But if you take the player in the purest form, there's nobody better yet. This year they were again the best two," added Mbappe. "Messi finished the best goalscorer in Europe; Ronaldo was the top scorer in the Champions League." Mbappe was speaking to AFP on Thursday at an event organised by watchmakers Hublot, one of his leading sponsors. The last French player to win the coveted Ballon d'Or was Zinedine Zidane after the national team's 1998 World Cup victory. "Frankly, I hope so (win the Ballon d'Or). We achieved something big. It would not be unjust because that is a strong word, but it would be a shame if a Frenchman does not win it. "We made history and it would be nice to be rewarded." Croatia's Luka Modric, voted Best Player of the World Cup, remains favourite for the Ballon d'Or. However, Modric is 14 years Mbappe's senior so the young Frenchman has time on his side. He will also have time and opportunity to complete his journey from the tough streets of the down-at-heel Paris suburb of Bondy to a life of super-riches. 'Play to win' Mbappe, who will turn 20 just before Christmas, signed for PSG from Monaco for 180 million euros in 2017 in the second most expensive transfer of all time -- behind PSG teammate Neymar who cost the French champions 222 million euros. Off the field, he seems destined to match Ronaldo in the commercial stakes. Will his initials "KM" match the brand power of Ronaldo's "CR7"? "I don't know because CR7 is something big, he has managed to build his brand and become international," said Mbappe. "Mine is not at this stage yet, I'm changing little by little." That development into the public consciousness saw him dominate the front page of Time magazine in October with the American publisher breathlessly showcasing the teenage as "the future of football". Mbappe said that he will not be satisfied with winning just one World Cup. When asked what he wants to win next, he said: "All the World Cups that I can play. "I play to win; if I play four World Cups then I want to win four. We go step by step. I have already won one. You have to prepare and win with your club and with the national team also. "There are short-term goals before thinking about the 2022 World Cup. But the aim always is to win." On being tipped to be the next true superstar once Messi and Ronaldo have retired, Mpabbe added: "I cannot control everything that is done and said. "There is not just the pitch but everything around it must also be managed. It's not easy but I'm learning, I'm still learning. I have people around me who help me overcome the challenges one after the other."

Kylian Mbappe: Ronaldo, Messi still best but won't win Ballon d'Or

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday accused France of ignoring UN resolutions and illegitimately holding the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte.

Situated between Madagascar and Mozambique, Mayotte is the only island in the Comoros archipelago which did not split from France after an independence referendum in 1974.

Even though Mayotte opted to remain with its colonial-era power, Comoros still claims control -- in which it is backed by several UN resolutions -- in a territorial dispute with France.

"Despite numerous resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly on this issue, France continues to illegitimately hold Mayotte," Lavrov told a news conference in Moscow alongside Comoros Foreign Minister Souef Mohamed El Amine.

"Countries which organised the separation of Kosovo from Serbia, Mayotte from Comoros, and have tried several times to change regimes in countries where they considered it necessary, show blatant double standards," said Lavrov, alluding to Western countries.

Mayotte, comprising two islands, Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre, today has the administrative status of a French "department," roughly equivalent to a county.

This entitles it to support for infrastructure, medical care, and education just as in mainland France.

Its citizens, living in the farthest region of the European Union, have unfettered rights to travel, work and live in the EU.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday accused France of ignoring UN resolutions and illegitimately holding the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte. Situated between Madagascar and Mozambique, Mayotte is the only island in the Comoros archipelago which did not split from France after an independence referendum in 1974.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday accused France of ignoring UN resolutions and illegitimately holding the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte. Situated between Madagascar and Mozambique, Mayotte is the only island in the Comoros archipelago which did not split from France after an independence referendum in 1974. Even though Mayotte opted to remain with its colonial-era power, Comoros still claims control -- in which it is backed by several UN resolutions -- in a territorial dispute with France. "Despite numerous resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly on this issue, France continues to illegitimately hold Mayotte," Lavrov told a news conference in Moscow alongside Comoros Foreign Minister Souef Mohamed El Amine. "Countries which organised the separation of Kosovo from Serbia, Mayotte from Comoros, and have tried several times to change regimes in countries where they considered it necessary, show blatant double standards," said Lavrov, alluding to Western countries. Mayotte, comprising two islands, Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre, today has the administrative status of a French "department," roughly equivalent to a county. This entitles it to support for infrastructure, medical care, and education just as in mainland France. Its citizens, living in the farthest region of the European Union, have unfettered rights to travel, work and live in the EU.

France 'illegitimately' holding Indian Ocean island: Russia

We need to defend Europe against China, Russia, US: French president Macron

The French Pacific islands of New Caledonia began voting Sunday on whether to become an independent nation, in a closely-watched test of support for France in one of its many territories scattered around the globe.&nbsp;

Some 18,000 kilometres (11,000 miles) from the French mainland, New Caledonia is home to a quarter of the world's known supplies of nickel -- a vital electronics component -- and is a strategic foothold for France in the Pacific.

Voting in New Caledonia's 284 polling stations opened at 8;00 am local time on Sunday (2100 GMT Saturday) and was to end at 6:00 pm, with results expected Sunday evening.

Some 175,000 people are eligible to vote in the remote islands fringed by spectacular beaches, with opinion polls predicting a large majority in favour of staying French.

But there are fears the referendum could inflame tensions between indigenous Kanak people, who tend to favour independence, and the white population, which boiled over into deadly violence in the 1980s.

The quasi-civil war claimed more than 70 lives. It led to the 1998 Noumea Accord which paved the way for the steady devolution of powers as well as Sunday's referendum.&nbsp;

On Friday, separatist activists drove along Noumea's waterfront in a convoy of around 20 cars, waving the Kanak flag to cries of "Kanaky" -- their name for New Caledonia.

Separatists have urged Kanak voters to choose self-determination, throwing off the shackles of "colonial" authorities in Paris.

But indigenous people make up less than 50 percent of the electorate and some Kanaks back staying part of France, not least due to the 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) the French state hands to the islands every year.

Going it alone, "I'm not sure we have all the assets we'd need to succeed," said Marc Gnipate, a 62-year-old pensioner.

Polls suggest 63 to 75 percent of voters will opt against breaking away from France, which claimed the islands in 1853 and once used them as a penal colony.

Under the 1998 deal, in the event of a "no" vote two further referendums on independence can still be held before 2022.

Balancing China in the Pacific?&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to give a televised address after the results at 1200 GMT (11.00 pm Noumea time) on Sunday.&nbsp;

He has largely stayed clear of the campaign, but declared during a visit to Noumea in May that "France would be less beautiful without New Caledonia".

Macron also raised concerns over increasing Chinese influence in the Pacific, where Beijing has invested heavily in Vanuatu, a territory which broke from France and Britain in 1980.

Accusing the US of "turning its back on the region in recent months", Macron said China was "building its hegemony step by step" in the Pacific -- suggesting an independent New Caledonia could provide Beijing's next foothold.

Australia has also expressed concerns about China's activities in neighbouring island states -- which the Lowy Institute think-tank estimates received US $1.78 billion in aid from Beijing from 2006-16 -- boosting its own spending in response.

While Australia officially remains neutral on New Caledonia's independence vote, Canberra's former consul-general in Noumea Denise Fisher said it appreciated the stability France's Pacific presence offered in the face of China's rise.

"It's been fortunate for Australia to have a well-resourced Western ally such as France engaged in the region, particularly at a time when there's a lot of geo-strategic change and new players like China coming into the region," she told the ABC.

"There are a few uncertainties arising now."

Home to 269,000 people, New Caledonia is one of a handful of French island outposts -- a legacy of the country's 19th-century empire -- which retain strategic importance.

The referendum will be a test of the appeal of remaining part of France for such far-flung territories, which are heavily dependent on state handouts but where many feel overlooked by Paris.

Both French Guiana in South America and the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte have been rocked since last year by major protests over living standards and perceived neglect.

In New Caledonia, there are fears that the vote could expose tensions over stark inequalities which persist despite government efforts to redress the economic balance in favour of Kanaks.&nbsp;

"In Noumea people earn a salary, but in the tribes no one earns a salary or any kind of monetary income," said veteran Kanak activist Elie Poigoune.

The Kanak community is plagued by high school dropout rates, chronic unemployment and poor housing conditions.

Gangs of delinquent youths have become increasingly common on the streets and both sides fear violence among them if the "no" vote prevails.

The French Pacific islands of New Caledonia began voting Sunday on whether to become an independent nation, in a closely-watched test of support for France in one of its many territories scattered around the globe.

The French Pacific islands of New Caledonia began voting Sunday on whether to become an independent nation, in a closely-watched test of support for France in one of its many territories scattered around the globe. Some 18,000 kilometres (11,000 miles) from the French mainland, New Caledonia is home to a quarter of the world's known supplies of nickel -- a vital electronics component -- and is a strategic foothold for France in the Pacific. Voting in New Caledonia's 284 polling stations opened at 8;00 am local time on Sunday (2100 GMT Saturday) and was to end at 6:00 pm, with results expected Sunday evening. Some 175,000 people are eligible to vote in the remote islands fringed by spectacular beaches, with opinion polls predicting a large majority in favour of staying French. But there are fears the referendum could inflame tensions between indigenous Kanak people, who tend to favour independence, and the white population, which boiled over into deadly violence in the 1980s. The quasi-civil war claimed more than 70 lives. It led to the 1998 Noumea Accord which paved the way for the steady devolution of powers as well as Sunday's referendum. On Friday, separatist activists drove along Noumea's waterfront in a convoy of around 20 cars, waving the Kanak flag to cries of "Kanaky" -- their name for New Caledonia. Separatists have urged Kanak voters to choose self-determination, throwing off the shackles of "colonial" authorities in Paris. But indigenous people make up less than 50 percent of the electorate and some Kanaks back staying part of France, not least due to the 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) the French state hands to the islands every year. Going it alone, "I'm not sure we have all the assets we'd need to succeed," said Marc Gnipate, a 62-year-old pensioner. Polls suggest 63 to 75 percent of voters will opt against breaking away from France, which claimed the islands in 1853 and once used them as a penal colony. Under the 1998 deal, in the event of a "no" vote two further referendums on independence can still be held before 2022. Balancing China in the Pacific? French President Emmanuel Macron is set to give a televised address after the results at 1200 GMT (11.00 pm Noumea time) on Sunday. He has largely stayed clear of the campaign, but declared during a visit to Noumea in May that "France would be less beautiful without New Caledonia". Macron also raised concerns over increasing Chinese influence in the Pacific, where Beijing has invested heavily in Vanuatu, a territory which broke from France and Britain in 1980. Accusing the US of "turning its back on the region in recent months", Macron said China was "building its hegemony step by step" in the Pacific -- suggesting an independent New Caledonia could provide Beijing's next foothold. Australia has also expressed concerns about China's activities in neighbouring island states -- which the Lowy Institute think-tank estimates received US $1.78 billion in aid from Beijing from 2006-16 -- boosting its own spending in response. While Australia officially remains neutral on New Caledonia's independence vote, Canberra's former consul-general in Noumea Denise Fisher said it appreciated the stability France's Pacific presence offered in the face of China's rise. "It's been fortunate for Australia to have a well-resourced Western ally such as France engaged in the region, particularly at a time when there's a lot of geo-strategic change and new players like China coming into the region," she told the ABC. "There are a few uncertainties arising now." Home to 269,000 people, New Caledonia is one of a handful of French island outposts -- a legacy of the country's 19th-century empire -- which retain strategic importance. The referendum will be a test of the appeal of remaining part of France for such far-flung territories, which are heavily dependent on state handouts but where many feel overlooked by Paris. Both French Guiana in South America and the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte have been rocked since last year by major protests over living standards and perceived neglect. In New Caledonia, there are fears that the vote could expose tensions over stark inequalities which persist despite government efforts to redress the economic balance in favour of Kanaks. "In Noumea people earn a salary, but in the tribes no one earns a salary or any kind of monetary income," said veteran Kanak activist Elie Poigoune. The Kanak community is plagued by high school dropout rates, chronic unemployment and poor housing conditions. Gangs of delinquent youths have become increasingly common on the streets and both sides fear violence among them if the "no" vote prevails.

New Caledonia votes on independence from France

A giant mechanical spider and minotaur thrilled crowds in central Toulouse on Friday as French street theatre group "La Machine" introduced its latest feat.

Giant mechanical creatures delight spectators in France

French collectors boast more than 3,000 objects from WWI

A veritable clash of cultures, if not civilizations appears to be panning out in Europe. While the nature of the problem is historical with the past casting a shadow on the present, it is perhaps best encapsulated by the burqa or hijab (Muslim veil) controversies. (Many European countries have banned the wearing of the Muslim hijab, especially in public places and on “security” grounds).&nbsp;

The issue has become more pronounced in France which has a sizeable Muslim population. So much so that the United Nations Human Rights Committee has criticized France’s burqa ban, stating that the law in contention violated the rights of two women who were fined for wearing full-faced veils in public. The committee called for the women to be compensated and for a review of the law that forbids women from publicly wearing clothing that conceals their face. 
&nbsp; 
In a way, France’s hijab ban, predicated as it is on flawed and flimsy grounds, is a metaphor its and broadly speaking, Europe’s problem with Islam. The “problem” is twofold having historical antecedents: first, is the shadow cast by the Crusades(roughly speaking, &nbsp;the religious wars between European Christendom and Islamdom). Both Christian Europe and Islamdom defined themselves politically against each other. Each was the other’s “Other”. &nbsp;Second, after and during the decline of the Islamic world, politically and economically, was the issue of European Imperialism and Colonialism, wherein much of the non-West, including the Muslim world, was subjugated by the Europeans. 
&nbsp; 
Overlaying this condition are the philosophical difference(s) between Islam and the West (especially Europe). Europe’s experience with organised religion and the split with (from) the Church has, by and large, made the entity sceptical of religion. Its renaissance, stripped of accretions, constituted a rebellion against religion. This along with elevating reason and, well, fetishizing it, renders the European world view an odd one. &nbsp;The European outlook, defined by a scepticism or even hostility toward religion is fed by its peculiar history and by Europe’s modern “religion”: reason and its sovereignty thereof. But, while Islam does not disavow reason, sovereignty in Islam rests with God. This is the fundamental philosophical difference between Islam and the West(Europe). 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;Cumulatively, and in combination then Europe views Islam with jaundiced eyes. ( The same might apply vis a vis Islam with Muslims not loath to look at Europe(West) with distrustful perspectives). 
&nbsp; 
Historically, Islam and Europe encountered each other in a negative idiom, first, to repeat through Crusades and then through Colonialism and Imperialism. &nbsp;But, enter the 20th and the 21st century, both find themselves in proximity yet again on account of globalisation, people and refugee flows. However, despite the onward march of modernity, progress and history, both view each other from and through the prism of the past with the Hijab ban, an eloquent reminder of this. 
&nbsp; 
From a political philosophy point of view, the aversion to the Muslim hijab and the ban thereof actually undercuts what has been termed as “cultural relativism” which holds that peoples’ beliefs, values and practices must be understood against the yardstick of their culture instead of being judged by other cultures and perspectives. However, against the backdrop of populist nativism spreading across the West, the reference to cultural relativism might seem and sound like an academic quibble. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;So, the focus should shift to pragmatism. 
&nbsp; 
Islam in Europe is a &nbsp;reality that can neither be wished away nor made to disappear. Muslims have and will continue to pour into Europe by virtue of refugee flows, diasporic and family connections and so on. All this has and will leave an imprimatur on the region. &nbsp;Pragmatism, given these realities, would lend itself to the suggestion that, in the least, a Modus Vivendi, be found between Muslims in Europe and their host societies, in particular, and between Islam and the West, in general. &nbsp; 
 
In the final analysis, relations between Europe (West) and Islam can only be predicated upon a Modus Vivendi and nothing beyond. This accrues from the fact of profound philosophical differences between Islam and the West. An indelible part of this pragmatism should be to allow and let Muslims practice their faith, both in form and substance, and let them retain their identities in Europe. 
&nbsp; 
Religion and identity are not only potent phenomena but also something that imparts meaning to peoples’ lives(especially Muslims).&nbsp;

And, fiddling or interfering with these have, both historically and contemporarily, led to deleterious consequences. It may be speculated here that the Islamic State’s (IS) European cadres joining and becoming part of it might have been premised largely on grounds of identity and its loss. The cadre in contention was generally 2nd or 3rd generation European Muslims who, disenchanted with the loss of their original identity, &nbsp;sought to seek and recover it, even at the cost of self-annihilation. Such is the potency of religion, faith and identity. 
&nbsp; 
Against this backdrop, it becomes imperative for and on European societies to actually undertake a review of their assumptions about Islam, Muslims, and, at the risk of repetition, devise practical means of interaction which could be both functional and conceptual. A good starting point to reach out and build trust with estranged Muslim communities in Europe, would be to revoke the ban on the Hijab. 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A veritable clash of cultures, if not civilizations appears to be panning out in Europe. While the nature of the problem is historical with the past casting a shadow on the present, it is perhaps best encapsulated by the burqa or hijab (Muslim veil) controversies.

A veritable clash of cultures, if not civilizations appears to be panning out in Europe. While the nature of the problem is historical with the past casting a shadow on the present, it is perhaps best encapsulated by the burqa or hijab (Muslim veil) controversies. (Many European countries have banned the wearing of the Muslim hijab, especially in public places and on “security” grounds). The issue has become more pronounced in France which has a sizeable Muslim population. So much so that the United Nations Human Rights Committee has criticized France’s burqa ban, stating that the law in contention violated the rights of two women who were fined for wearing full-faced veils in public. The committee called for the women to be compensated and for a review of the law that forbids women from publicly wearing clothing that conceals their face. In a way, France’s hijab ban, predicated as it is on flawed and flimsy grounds, is a metaphor its and broadly speaking, Europe’s problem with Islam. The “problem” is twofold having historical antecedents: first, is the shadow cast by the Crusades(roughly speaking, the religious wars between European Christendom and Islamdom). Both Christian Europe and Islamdom defined themselves politically against each other. Each was the other’s “Other”. Second, after and during the decline of the Islamic world, politically and economically, was the issue of European Imperialism and Colonialism, wherein much of the non-West, including the Muslim world, was subjugated by the Europeans. Overlaying this condition are the philosophical difference(s) between Islam and the West (especially Europe). Europe’s experience with organised religion and the split with (from) the Church has, by and large, made the entity sceptical of religion. Its renaissance, stripped of accretions, constituted a rebellion against religion. This along with elevating reason and, well, fetishizing it, renders the European world view an odd one. The European outlook, defined by a scepticism or even hostility toward religion is fed by its peculiar history and by Europe’s modern “religion”: reason and its sovereignty thereof. But, while Islam does not disavow reason, sovereignty in Islam rests with God. This is the fundamental philosophical difference between Islam and the West(Europe). Cumulatively, and in combination then Europe views Islam with jaundiced eyes. ( The same might apply vis a vis Islam with Muslims not loath to look at Europe(West) with distrustful perspectives). Historically, Islam and Europe encountered each other in a negative idiom, first, to repeat through Crusades and then through Colonialism and Imperialism. But, enter the 20th and the 21st century, both find themselves in proximity yet again on account of globalisation, people and refugee flows. However, despite the onward march of modernity, progress and history, both view each other from and through the prism of the past with the Hijab ban, an eloquent reminder of this. From a political philosophy point of view, the aversion to the Muslim hijab and the ban thereof actually undercuts what has been termed as “cultural relativism” which holds that peoples’ beliefs, values and practices must be understood against the yardstick of their culture instead of being judged by other cultures and perspectives. However, against the backdrop of populist nativism spreading across the West, the reference to cultural relativism might seem and sound like an academic quibble. So, the focus should shift to pragmatism. Islam in Europe is a reality that can neither be wished away nor made to disappear. Muslims have and will continue to pour into Europe by virtue of refugee flows, diasporic and family connections and so on. All this has and will leave an imprimatur on the region. Pragmatism, given these realities, would lend itself to the suggestion that, in the least, a Modus Vivendi, be found between Muslims in Europe and their host societies, in particular, and between Islam and the West, in general. In the final analysis, relations between Europe (West) and Islam can only be predicated upon a Modus Vivendi and nothing beyond. This accrues from the fact of profound philosophical differences between Islam and the West. An indelible part of this pragmatism should be to allow and let Muslims practice their faith, both in form and substance, and let them retain their identities in Europe. Religion and identity are not only potent phenomena but also something that imparts meaning to peoples’ lives(especially Muslims). And, fiddling or interfering with these have, both historically and contemporarily, led to deleterious consequences. It may be speculated here that the Islamic State’s (IS) European cadres joining and becoming part of it might have been premised largely on grounds of identity and its loss. The cadre in contention was generally 2nd or 3rd generation European Muslims who, disenchanted with the loss of their original identity, sought to seek and recover it, even at the cost of self-annihilation. Such is the potency of religion, faith and identity. Against this backdrop, it becomes imperative for and on European societies to actually undertake a review of their assumptions about Islam, Muslims, and, at the risk of repetition, devise practical means of interaction which could be both functional and conceptual. A good starting point to reach out and build trust with estranged Muslim communities in Europe, would be to revoke the ban on the Hijab. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The hijab ban: A metaphor for the 'clash of civilizations'?

Belgium surpassed France to acquire the top spot in FIFA's world rankings released on Thursday.&nbsp;

Belgium and France had been tied at the top last month and while both sides won one game and drew another in October, the Belgians, with 1,733 points, moved ahead by a single point under the formula for calculating the rankings.

Belgium defeated Switzerland in the Nations League and drew with the Netherlands in a friendly.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, world champions France beat Germany in the Nations League and were held by Iceland in a friendly.

Brazil, one of only two non-European sides in the top 10 along with Uruguay, remain third, followed by Croatia and England.

Gibraltar, who only became FIFA members in 2016, rose eight places to their best ranking of 190th, thanks to their Nations League wins in Armenia and at home Liechtenstein.

Belgium surpassed France to acquire the top spot in FIFA's world rankings released on Thursday. Belgium and France had been tied at the top last month and while both sides won one game and drew another in October, the Belgians, with 1,733 points, moved ahead by a single point under the formula for calculating the rankings.

Belgium surpassed France to acquire the top spot in FIFA's world rankings released on Thursday. Belgium and France had been tied at the top last month and while both sides won one game and drew another in October, the Belgians, with 1,733 points, moved ahead by a single point under the formula for calculating the rankings. Belgium defeated Switzerland in the Nations League and drew with the Netherlands in a friendly. Meanwhile, world champions France beat Germany in the Nations League and were held by Iceland in a friendly. Brazil, one of only two non-European sides in the top 10 along with Uruguay, remain third, followed by Croatia and England. Gibraltar, who only became FIFA members in 2016, rose eight places to their best ranking of 190th, thanks to their Nations League wins in Armenia and at home Liechtenstein.

FIFA world rankings: Belgium becomes new no. 1

France will make a decision on the replacement of its flagship aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle at the start of 2020, its armed forces minister said on Tuesday.

The carrier has been in service since 2001 but Paris is looking to build a vessel that would take into consideration expected technological advances post-2030 and be capable of carrying a planned new Franco-German fighter jet.

"The Charles de Gaulle will need a successor," Florence Parly said in a speech at a defence exhibition in Paris.

"The first step, which starts today, is the study phase to determine what and how we want our future aircraft carrier to be. We have given ourselves 18 months," she said.

Three other Western aircraft carriers have been built since the Charles de Gaulle was first deployed. The US&nbsp;Navy's Gerald R&nbsp;Ford and America, and the British Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth, which cost about 3.1 billion pounds ($ 4.03 billion).

Parly said the study will assess the size requirements, propulsion options - both conventional and nuclear - and aircraft-launching capabilities.

A number of French defence firms, ranging from Rafale warplane maker Dassault to systems' contractor Thales, are among companies involved in the study phase.

The French navy recently completed an 18-month mid-life upgrade of the Charles de Gaulle. Its most recent activity was as part of support operations against Islamic State militants in the Levant region and its battle group is due to return to sea in the first quarter of 2019.

France will make a decision on the replacement of its flagship aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle at the start of 2020, its armed forces minister said on Tuesday.

France will make a decision on the replacement of its flagship aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle at the start of 2020, its armed forces minister said on Tuesday. The carrier has been in service since 2001 but Paris is looking to build a vessel that would take into consideration expected technological advances post-2030 and be capable of carrying a planned new Franco-German fighter jet. "The Charles de Gaulle will need a successor," Florence Parly said in a speech at a defence exhibition in Paris. "The first step, which starts today, is the study phase to determine what and how we want our future aircraft carrier to be. We have given ourselves 18 months," she said. Three other Western aircraft carriers have been built since the Charles de Gaulle was first deployed. The US Navy's Gerald R Ford and America, and the British Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth, which cost about 3.1 billion pounds ($ 4.03 billion). Parly said the study will assess the size requirements, propulsion options - both conventional and nuclear - and aircraft-launching capabilities. A number of French defence firms, ranging from Rafale warplane maker Dassault to systems' contractor Thales, are among companies involved in the study phase. The French navy recently completed an 18-month mid-life upgrade of the Charles de Gaulle. Its most recent activity was as part of support operations against Islamic State militants in the Levant region and its battle group is due to return to sea in the first quarter of 2019.

France begins deliberations on new aircraft carrier

Britain, France and Germany on Sunday said Saudi Arabia must clarify how dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate, and its account must "be backed by facts to be considered credible".

"There remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened on October 2nd -- beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible," the three countries said in a joint statement.

"We thus stress that more efforts are needed and expected towards establishing the truth in a comprehensive, transparent and credible manner," they added.

"We will ultimately make our judgement based on the credibility of the further explanation we receive about what happened and our confidence that such a shameful event cannot and will not ever be repeated."

After a fortnight of denials, Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and prominent critic of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2.

But it has faced a growing chorus of incredulity over its belated explanation that he died in a "brawl", as world powers demand answers and the whereabouts of his body.

"The threatening, attacking or killing of journalists, under any circumstances, is unacceptable and of utmost concern to our three nations," added the European allies' statement.

"The quality and significance of the relationship we have with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also rests with the respect we have for the norms and values to which the Saudi authorities and us are jointly committed under international law," they warned.

Britain, France and Germany on Sunday said Saudi Arabia must clarify how dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate, and its account must "be backed by facts to be considered credible".

Britain, France and Germany on Sunday said Saudi Arabia must clarify how dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate, and its account must "be backed by facts to be considered credible". "There remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened on October 2nd -- beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible," the three countries said in a joint statement. "We thus stress that more efforts are needed and expected towards establishing the truth in a comprehensive, transparent and credible manner," they added. "We will ultimately make our judgement based on the credibility of the further explanation we receive about what happened and our confidence that such a shameful event cannot and will not ever be repeated." After a fortnight of denials, Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and prominent critic of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2. But it has faced a growing chorus of incredulity over its belated explanation that he died in a "brawl", as world powers demand answers and the whereabouts of his body. "The threatening, attacking or killing of journalists, under any circumstances, is unacceptable and of utmost concern to our three nations," added the European allies' statement. "The quality and significance of the relationship we have with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also rests with the respect we have for the norms and values to which the Saudi authorities and us are jointly committed under international law," they warned.

'Urgent need for clarification' on Khashoggi death: UK, France, Germany

Is Mercury's core liquid or solid, and why -- on the smallest planet in our solar system -- is it so big? What can the planet closest to the Sun tell us about how our solar system came into being?

An unmanned European-Japanese space mission, dubbed BepiColombo, blasted off early Saturday morning from French Guiana, to probe these and other mysteries.

"BepiColombo is coming like a white knight with better and more precise data," said Alain Doressoundiram, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory.

"To understand how Earth was formed, we need to understand how all rocky planets formed," including Venus and Mars, he told AFP.&nbsp;

"Mercury stands apart and we don't know why."

First, however, the suite of instruments on board the Ariane 5 rocket will have to travel seven years and nine million kilometres (5.6 million miles) to reach their destination.

In a statement after the launch, ArianeGroup said the satellite had successfully escaped Earth's gravity field and was beginning its long journey where it will reach speeds of up to 40,000 kilometres (25,000 miles) an hour.

According to Pierre Bousquet, an engineer at France's National Centre for Space Research and head of the French team contributing to the mission, Mercury is "abnormally small," leading to speculation that it survived a massive collision in its youth.

"A huge crater visible on its surface could be the scar left over from that encounter," Bousquet told AFP. Finding out if this is true is on BepiColombo's "to do" list.

Going hot and cold&nbsp;

This scenario would explain why Mercury's core accounts for a whopping 55 percent of its mass, compared to 30 percent for Earth.

Mercury is also the only rocky planet orbiting the Sun beside our own to have a magnetic field.

Magnetic fields are generated by a liquid core but given its size, Mercury's should have grown cold and solid by now, as did Mars.

This anomaly might be due to some feature of the core's composition, something BepiColombo's instruments will measure with much greater precision than has been possible so far.

On its surface, Mercury is a planet of extremes, vacillating between hot days of about 430 degrees Celsius (more than 800 degrees Fahrenheit) to super-frosty nights of minus 180C (minus 290F).&nbsp;

Those days and nights last nearly three Earth months each.

Earlier missions have detected evidence of ice in the deepest recesses of the planet's polar craters.

Scientists speculate that this may have accumulated from comets crashing onto Mercury's surface.

"If the presence of ice is confirmed, it means that some of those water samples date back nearly to the origin of the solar system," Doressoundiram said.

Lashed by solar winds&nbsp;

Mercury is 58 million kilometres (36 million miles) from the Sun, nearly three times closer than Earth.

"The planet is whipped by solar winds," a constant torrent of ionised particles bombarding the surface at 500 kilometres per second, said Bousquet.

The scientists will be able to study the impact of these winds -- 10 times stronger than the ones hitting Earth's atmosphere -- on Mercury's magnetic field.

The BepiColombo mission will deploy two spacecraft. The Mercury Planet Orbiter, built by ESA, will investigate planet's surface and interior composition.

The Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, made by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will study the region of space around the planet that is influenced by its magnetic field. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The mission will also look for tectonic activity, and seek to understand why spectroscopic observations show no iron even if it is thought to be one of the planet's major component elements.

Compared to Mars, Venus, and Saturn, Mercury has barely been explored. Only two spacecraft have ever paid it a visit.&nbsp;

NASA's Mariner 10 did three flybys in 1974 and 1975, providing the first up-close images. More than 30 years later, NASA's Messenger did the same, before settling into orbit around Mercury in 2011.

The new mission is named after Giuseppe (Bepi) Colombo, a brilliant Italian mathematician and engineer who first understood the relationship between Mercury’s rotation and orbit.

Is Mercury's core liquid or solid, and why -- on the smallest planet in our solar system -- is it so big? What can the planet closest to the Sun tell us about how our solar system came into being?

Is Mercury's core liquid or solid, and why -- on the smallest planet in our solar system -- is it so big? What can the planet closest to the Sun tell us about how our solar system came into being? An unmanned European-Japanese space mission, dubbed BepiColombo, blasted off early Saturday morning from French Guiana, to probe these and other mysteries. "BepiColombo is coming like a white knight with better and more precise data," said Alain Doressoundiram, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory. "To understand how Earth was formed, we need to understand how all rocky planets formed," including Venus and Mars, he told AFP. "Mercury stands apart and we don't know why." First, however, the suite of instruments on board the Ariane 5 rocket will have to travel seven years and nine million kilometres (5.6 million miles) to reach their destination. In a statement after the launch, ArianeGroup said the satellite had successfully escaped Earth's gravity field and was beginning its long journey where it will reach speeds of up to 40,000 kilometres (25,000 miles) an hour. According to Pierre Bousquet, an engineer at France's National Centre for Space Research and head of the French team contributing to the mission, Mercury is "abnormally small," leading to speculation that it survived a massive collision in its youth. "A huge crater visible on its surface could be the scar left over from that encounter," Bousquet told AFP. Finding out if this is true is on BepiColombo's "to do" list. Going hot and cold This scenario would explain why Mercury's core accounts for a whopping 55 percent of its mass, compared to 30 percent for Earth. Mercury is also the only rocky planet orbiting the Sun beside our own to have a magnetic field. Magnetic fields are generated by a liquid core but given its size, Mercury's should have grown cold and solid by now, as did Mars. This anomaly might be due to some feature of the core's composition, something BepiColombo's instruments will measure with much greater precision than has been possible so far. On its surface, Mercury is a planet of extremes, vacillating between hot days of about 430 degrees Celsius (more than 800 degrees Fahrenheit) to super-frosty nights of minus 180C (minus 290F). Those days and nights last nearly three Earth months each. Earlier missions have detected evidence of ice in the deepest recesses of the planet's polar craters. Scientists speculate that this may have accumulated from comets crashing onto Mercury's surface. "If the presence of ice is confirmed, it means that some of those water samples date back nearly to the origin of the solar system," Doressoundiram said. Lashed by solar winds Mercury is 58 million kilometres (36 million miles) from the Sun, nearly three times closer than Earth. "The planet is whipped by solar winds," a constant torrent of ionised particles bombarding the surface at 500 kilometres per second, said Bousquet. The scientists will be able to study the impact of these winds -- 10 times stronger than the ones hitting Earth's atmosphere -- on Mercury's magnetic field. The BepiColombo mission will deploy two spacecraft. The Mercury Planet Orbiter, built by ESA, will investigate planet's surface and interior composition. The Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, made by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will study the region of space around the planet that is influenced by its magnetic field. The mission will also look for tectonic activity, and seek to understand why spectroscopic observations show no iron even if it is thought to be one of the planet's major component elements. Compared to Mars, Venus, and Saturn, Mercury has barely been explored. Only two spacecraft have ever paid it a visit. NASA's Mariner 10 did three flybys in 1974 and 1975, providing the first up-close images. More than 30 years later, NASA's Messenger did the same, before settling into orbit around Mercury in 2011. The new mission is named after Giuseppe (Bepi) Colombo, a brilliant Italian mathematician and engineer who first understood the relationship between Mercury’s rotation and orbit.

Mercury mission to explore origin of Solar System

French, German, Turkish and Russian leaders are set to meet in Istanbul on October 27 to discuss the ongoing Syrian crisis and figure out ways to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in the country's Idlib region, the French presidency said on Friday.

A statement issued by French President Emmanuel Macron's office stated France's commitment toward ensuring that the ceasefire in Idlib remains in place.&nbsp;

The statement also noted that France wants to prevent a new exodus of refugees and provide new momentum for peace talks.

Meanwhile, according to Russian media, President Vladimir Putin, next week, will discuss conditions for the return of refugees to Syria at the summit.&nbsp;

Besides this, the Russian President may also discuss the reconstruction of infrastructure in Syria, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Leaders from Turkey, Russia, Germany and France will take part in a four-way summit next week which aims to have the Syrian crisis at the heart of the discussions.

The latest developments in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province and the political process for the resolution of the conflict would be discussed at the summit.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

French, German, Turkish and Russian leaders are set to meet in Istanbul on October 27 to discuss the ongoing Syrian crisis and figure out ways to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in the country's Idlib region, the French presidency said on Friday.

French, German, Turkish and Russian leaders are set to meet in Istanbul on October 27 to discuss the ongoing Syrian crisis and figure out ways to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in the country's Idlib region, the French presidency said on Friday. A statement issued by French President Emmanuel Macron's office stated France's commitment toward ensuring that the ceasefire in Idlib remains in place. The statement also noted that France wants to prevent a new exodus of refugees and provide new momentum for peace talks. Meanwhile, according to Russian media, President Vladimir Putin, next week, will discuss conditions for the return of refugees to Syria at the summit. Besides this, the Russian President may also discuss the reconstruction of infrastructure in Syria, news agency Reuters reported. Leaders from Turkey, Russia, Germany and France will take part in a four-way summit next week which aims to have the Syrian crisis at the heart of the discussions. The latest developments in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province and the political process for the resolution of the conflict would be discussed at the summit. (With inputs from Reuters)

Istanbul summit: France will ensure Idlib ceasefire remains, Russia to discuss return of Syrian refugees

World champions France fought back from a goal down to edge Germany 2-1 with a double from Antoine Griezmann in their Nations Cup match at the Stade de France on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old forward cancelled out Toni Kroos' first-half penalty with a fine header just past the hour and then scored with a spot-kick himself late in the game to kill off the visitors' hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

The French found themselves on the backfoot in the first half but did not lose confidence even when the Germans came close to a second goal.

"This is the difference between a team with a lot of confidence and a team like Germany which lacks some confidence and is maybe not as efficient," France coach Didier Deschamps told reporters.

"There is nothing better for my team, my players, than this. The best vitamin is victory and tonight we had a difficult game and won against a difficult team."

France top the League A Group 1 standings with seven points from three games above the Netherlands on three from two and Germany with one.

The Germans, with five changes to the team that lost 3-0 away to the Netherlands on Saturday, had their share of chances and overall looked sharper despite their sixth defeat of 2018.

Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry added much-needed speed to Germany's game and the overall performance offered coach Joachim Loew some respite after recent setbacks.

"We should not be disappointed tonight after such a performance," said Loew, who has been under pressure since his side's World Cup flop in June.

"We were on the same level with the world champions and we should have scored a second goal in the first half. But the French have a lot of quality and scored two goals from just a handful of chances."

After crashing out at the group stage in the World Cup in Russia, Germany, world champions in 2014, are still looking for their first victory in UEFA's the Nations League competition.

World champions France fought back from a goal down to edge Germany 2-1 with a double from Antoine Griezmann in their Nations Cup match at the Stade de France on Tuesday.

World champions France fought back from a goal down to edge Germany 2-1 with a double from Antoine Griezmann in their Nations Cup match at the Stade de France on Tuesday. The 27-year-old forward cancelled out Toni Kroos' first-half penalty with a fine header just past the hour and then scored with a spot-kick himself late in the game to kill off the visitors' hopes of reaching the semi-finals. The French found themselves on the backfoot in the first half but did not lose confidence even when the Germans came close to a second goal. "This is the difference between a team with a lot of confidence and a team like Germany which lacks some confidence and is maybe not as efficient," France coach Didier Deschamps told reporters. "There is nothing better for my team, my players, than this. The best vitamin is victory and tonight we had a difficult game and won against a difficult team." France top the League A Group 1 standings with seven points from three games above the Netherlands on three from two and Germany with one. The Germans, with five changes to the team that lost 3-0 away to the Netherlands on Saturday, had their share of chances and overall looked sharper despite their sixth defeat of 2018. Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry added much-needed speed to Germany's game and the overall performance offered coach Joachim Loew some respite after recent setbacks. "We should not be disappointed tonight after such a performance," said Loew, who has been under pressure since his side's World Cup flop in June. "We were on the same level with the world champions and we should have scored a second goal in the first half. But the French have a lot of quality and scored two goals from just a handful of chances." After crashing out at the group stage in the World Cup in Russia, Germany, world champions in 2014, are still looking for their first victory in UEFA's the Nations League competition.

UEFA Nations League: Griezmann double gives France comeback win over Germany

Flash floods kill 13 people in South West France

Britain, France and Germany called on the Saudi and Turkish authorities on Sunday to mount a "credible investigation" into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying they were treating the incident with "the utmost seriousness".

"There needs to be a credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and - if relevant - to identify those bearing responsibility for the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, and ensure that they are held to account," foreign ministers from the three countries said in a joint statement.

"We encourage joint Saudi-Turkish efforts in that regard, and expect the Saudi Government to provide a complete and detailed response. We have conveyed this message directly to the Saudi authorities," the statement by British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, France's Jean-Yves Le Drian and Germany's Heiko Maas said.

Britain, France and Germany called on the Saudi and Turkish authorities on Sunday to mount a "credible investigation" into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying they were treating the incident with "the utmost seriousness".

Britain, France and Germany called on the Saudi and Turkish authorities on Sunday to mount a "credible investigation" into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying they were treating the incident with "the utmost seriousness". "There needs to be a credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and - if relevant - to identify those bearing responsibility for the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, and ensure that they are held to account," foreign ministers from the three countries said in a joint statement. "We encourage joint Saudi-Turkish efforts in that regard, and expect the Saudi Government to provide a complete and detailed response. We have conveyed this message directly to the Saudi authorities," the statement by British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, France's Jean-Yves Le Drian and Germany's Heiko Maas said.

Britain, France, Germany call for 'credible investigation' into Khashoggi disappearance

Thierry Henry has "everything" needed to become a good manager, France coach and former international teammate Didier Deschamps said of the newly-named Monaco coach.

"Thierry's ready," Deschamps told TF1. "He has everything" to be a good coach.

"He's throwing himself into an exciting, exhilarating project where he'll have to take responsibility. It'll be up to him to take the reins."

Former Arsenal star Henry was named Monaco coach on Saturday, his first job in club management after leaving his position with the Belgian national team.

The 41-year-old French World Cup winner, who had been working as an assistant to Belgium coach Roberto Martinez since 2016, returns to the club where he began his professional career.

Henry replaces Leonardo Jardim, who in 2017 guided Monaco to their first Ligue 1 title since 2000. He was sacked on Thursday after a string of poor results left Monaco in the relegation places.

Deschamps, who captained the France team featuring Henry that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, also started his coaching career at Monaco, back in 2001.

"The first season was very complicated," he said, wishing Henry "lots of courage and big success".

Thierry Henry has "everything" needed to become a good manager, France coach and former international teammate Didier Deschamps said of the newly-named Monaco coach.

Thierry Henry has "everything" needed to become a good manager, France coach and former international teammate Didier Deschamps said of the newly-named Monaco coach. "Thierry's ready," Deschamps told TF1. "He has everything" to be a good coach. "He's throwing himself into an exciting, exhilarating project where he'll have to take responsibility. It'll be up to him to take the reins." Former Arsenal star Henry was named Monaco coach on Saturday, his first job in club management after leaving his position with the Belgian national team. The 41-year-old French World Cup winner, who had been working as an assistant to Belgium coach Roberto Martinez since 2016, returns to the club where he began his professional career. Henry replaces Leonardo Jardim, who in 2017 guided Monaco to their first Ligue 1 title since 2000. He was sacked on Thursday after a string of poor results left Monaco in the relegation places. Deschamps, who captained the France team featuring Henry that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, also started his coaching career at Monaco, back in 2001. "The first season was very complicated," he said, wishing Henry "lots of courage and big success".

Henry has 'everything' to become good coach - Deschamps

Germany defender Jerome Boateng has been ruled out of Tuesday's away Nations League match against France in Paris with the under-fire Germans eager to avoid a record sixth defeat in a calendar year.

Boateng picked up a calf injury in Amsterdam as the Germans were hammered 3-0 by the Netherlands on Saturday to leave them bottom of their Nations League group.

The 30-year-old centre-back was injured with 20 minutes left, but finished the match as Germany coach Joachim Loew had already used his three substitutions with the Germans chasing the game at 1-0 down before the Dutch scored two late goals.

Boateng, a 2014 World Cup winner, will be replaced against the French by either his Bayern Munich team-mate Niklas Suele or Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, who was drafted into the senior squad on Saturday after captaining the Under-21 team on Friday.

After the debacle in Amsterdam, Germany are eager for a victory at the Stade de France in Paris to avoid becoming the first senior German national side to lose six times in a single year and ease the mounting pressure on Loew.

Germany defender Jerome Boateng has been ruled out of Tuesday's away Nations League match against France in Paris with the under-fire Germans eager to avoid a record sixth defeat in a calendar year.

Germany defender Jerome Boateng has been ruled out of Tuesday's away Nations League match against France in Paris with the under-fire Germans eager to avoid a record sixth defeat in a calendar year. Boateng picked up a calf injury in Amsterdam as the Germans were hammered 3-0 by the Netherlands on Saturday to leave them bottom of their Nations League group. The 30-year-old centre-back was injured with 20 minutes left, but finished the match as Germany coach Joachim Loew had already used his three substitutions with the Germans chasing the game at 1-0 down before the Dutch scored two late goals. Boateng, a 2014 World Cup winner, will be replaced against the French by either his Bayern Munich team-mate Niklas Suele or Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, who was drafted into the senior squad on Saturday after captaining the Under-21 team on Friday. After the debacle in Amsterdam, Germany are eager for a victory at the Stade de France in Paris to avoid becoming the first senior German national side to lose six times in a single year and ease the mounting pressure on Loew.

Germany defender Boateng ruled out of France clash

French footballer Kylian Mbappe's rapid rise to global fame and in his football game has earned the 19-year-old World Cup winner an appearance on the cover of Time magazine's international edition, scheduled to appear on Friday.

Time said Mbappe was a global superstar who "is the future of soccer."

"Mbappe sits high above a stadium, trying to find the words to describe how drastic a turn his life has taken this past year. His breathtaking soccer skills have propelled him to global fame in a matter of months. He earns more money than he could ever have imagined," the magazine said in its article.

The teenage football icon made headlines in September 2017 when he moved from Ligue 1 side Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain for a staggering 180 million euros ($207 million).

However, his stocks skyrocketed during this year's World Cup, where a series of phenomenal displays drew compliments from Brazil legend Pele on his way to helping France end their 20-year wait to win another World Cup trophy.

He also became the youngest French goalscorer in World Cup history when he struck in a 1-0 win over Peru in the group stages.

Born in Paris, Mbappe, who began his career at AS Bondy then tore apart Argentina, scoring twice and earning a penalty as Les Blues eliminated the highly-fancied South Americans 4-3 in the last 16 knockout round.

In doing so, Mbappe became only the second teenager, after Pele in 1958, to score two goals in a World Cup match.

He also scored with a five-yard strike in the final, a 4-2 win over Croatia, to become only the second teenager to do so, after Pele, in 1958.

With a total of four goals in the tournament, Mbappe received FIFA’s award for Best Young Player of the World Cup.

French footballer Kylian Mbappe's rapid rise to global fame and in his football game has earned the 19-year-old World Cup winner an appearance on the cover of Time magazine's international edition, scheduled to appear on Friday.

French footballer Kylian Mbappe's rapid rise to global fame and in his football game has earned the 19-year-old World Cup winner an appearance on the cover of Time magazine's international edition, scheduled to appear on Friday. Time said Mbappe was a global superstar who "is the future of soccer." "Mbappe sits high above a stadium, trying to find the words to describe how drastic a turn his life has taken this past year. His breathtaking soccer skills have propelled him to global fame in a matter of months. He earns more money than he could ever have imagined," the magazine said in its article. The teenage football icon made headlines in September 2017 when he moved from Ligue 1 side Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain for a staggering 180 million euros ($207 million). However, his stocks skyrocketed during this year's World Cup, where a series of phenomenal displays drew compliments from Brazil legend Pele on his way to helping France end their 20-year wait to win another World Cup trophy. He also became the youngest French goalscorer in World Cup history when he struck in a 1-0 win over Peru in the group stages. Born in Paris, Mbappe, who began his career at AS Bondy then tore apart Argentina, scoring twice and earning a penalty as Les Blues eliminated the highly-fancied South Americans 4-3 in the last 16 knockout round. In doing so, Mbappe became only the second teenager, after Pele in 1958, to score two goals in a World Cup match. He also scored with a five-yard strike in the final, a 4-2 win over Croatia, to become only the second teenager to do so, after Pele, in 1958. With a total of four goals in the tournament, Mbappe received FIFA’s award for Best Young Player of the World Cup.

19-year-old Kylian Mbappe is Time magazine's 'Future of Soccer'

French lawmakers on Wednesday adopted two bills to prevent the spread of false information during election campaigns following allegations of Russian meddling in the 2017 presidential vote.&nbsp;

The "fake news" bills enable a candidate or political party to seek a court injunction preventing the publication of "false information" during the three months leading up to a national election.

They also give France's broadcast authority the power to take any network that is "controlled by, or under the influence of a foreign power" off the air if it "deliberately spreads false information that could alter the integrity of the election."

The measure is seen as aimed at Russia's state-backed RT network which began broadcasting in French late last year.&nbsp;

Macron has had Russian media in his sights since his 2017 campaign when a state-backed Russian site ran allegations that he was gay and had a secret bank account in the Bahamas.

France's opposition has criticised the bills as an attempt to create a "thought police", noting that a law dating to 1881 already protects politicians and other citizens against defamation.

Ahead of the late-night vote, Culture Minister Francoise Nyssen defended the draft laws saying they "in no way" violated the right to free speech.

The main target of the legislation is stories spread by fake-news bots that are "manifestly false and shared in a deliberate, mass and artificial way," she said.

The bill also requires that Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms reveal the names of companies behind sponsored content and establishes a press ethics council, headed by the former head of AFP news agency Emmanuel Hoog.

Opposition parties from both the left and right have warned of the difficulty for judges being forced to make hasty decisions about what is true and what is false and of the courts being used for political point scoring.

"Good intentions don't always make for good laws," Marietta Karamanli of the opposition Socialists warned.

Previous versions of the bills were adopted by the National Assembly in July, with the backing of Macron's Republic on the Move party, but they were rejected by the opposition-controlled Senate.

The latest drafts will now go back to the Senate for approval.&nbsp;

French lawmakers on Wednesday adopted two bills to prevent the spread of false information during election campaigns following allegations of Russian meddling in the 2017 presidential vote.

French lawmakers on Wednesday adopted two bills to prevent the spread of false information during election campaigns following allegations of Russian meddling in the 2017 presidential vote. The "fake news" bills enable a candidate or political party to seek a court injunction preventing the publication of "false information" during the three months leading up to a national election. They also give France's broadcast authority the power to take any network that is "controlled by, or under the influence of a foreign power" off the air if it "deliberately spreads false information that could alter the integrity of the election." The measure is seen as aimed at Russia's state-backed RT network which began broadcasting in French late last year. Macron has had Russian media in his sights since his 2017 campaign when a state-backed Russian site ran allegations that he was gay and had a secret bank account in the Bahamas. France's opposition has criticised the bills as an attempt to create a "thought police", noting that a law dating to 1881 already protects politicians and other citizens against defamation. Ahead of the late-night vote, Culture Minister Francoise Nyssen defended the draft laws saying they "in no way" violated the right to free speech. The main target of the legislation is stories spread by fake-news bots that are "manifestly false and shared in a deliberate, mass and artificial way," she said. The bill also requires that Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms reveal the names of companies behind sponsored content and establishes a press ethics council, headed by the former head of AFP news agency Emmanuel Hoog. Opposition parties from both the left and right have warned of the difficulty for judges being forced to make hasty decisions about what is true and what is false and of the courts being used for political point scoring. "Good intentions don't always make for good laws," Marietta Karamanli of the opposition Socialists warned. Previous versions of the bills were adopted by the National Assembly in July, with the backing of Macron's Republic on the Move party, but they were rejected by the opposition-controlled Senate. The latest drafts will now go back to the Senate for approval.

French MPs adopt 'fake news' bill

French police have opened an investigation into the whereabouts of the president of international police cooperation agency Interpol, after his wife reported he had gone missing after travelling home to his native China last week.

The wife of Interpol head Meng Hongwei contacted police in Lyon, the French city where the agency has its headquarters, after not hearing from her husband since he travelled to China on September 29, police sources said. The investigation was first reported by French radio Europe 1.

Calls to an Interpol spokeswoman went unanswered.

Interpol's main function is to provide a mechanism for police forces in different countries to notify each other of wanted suspects.

Meng has held several senior positions in China including vice minister of public security.

He was named president of Interpol in 2016. Rights groups expressed concern at the time that Beijing might try to use Meng's position at the body to go after dissidents abroad.

Beijing has tried for many years to enlist the help of foreign countries to arrest and deport back to China citizens it accuses of crimes including corruption and terrorism.&nbsp;

Reuters was not immediately able to reach China's Ministry of Public Security for comment.

French police have opened an investigation into the whereabouts of the president of international police cooperation agency Interpol, after his wife reported he had gone missing after travelling home to his native China last week.

French police have opened an investigation into the whereabouts of the president of international police cooperation agency Interpol, after his wife reported he had gone missing after travelling home to his native China last week. The wife of Interpol head Meng Hongwei contacted police in Lyon, the French city where the agency has its headquarters, after not hearing from her husband since he travelled to China on September 29, police sources said. The investigation was first reported by French radio Europe 1. Calls to an Interpol spokeswoman went unanswered. Interpol's main function is to provide a mechanism for police forces in different countries to notify each other of wanted suspects. Meng has held several senior positions in China including vice minister of public security. He was named president of Interpol in 2016. Rights groups expressed concern at the time that Beijing might try to use Meng's position at the body to go after dissidents abroad. Beijing has tried for many years to enlist the help of foreign countries to arrest and deport back to China citizens it accuses of crimes including corruption and terrorism. Reuters was not immediately able to reach China's Ministry of Public Security for comment.

Probe opens in France after Interpol chief reported missing in China

Police raid Muslim prayer hall in France

France accused Iran's intelligence ministry on Tuesday of being behind a foiled plot to bomb an exiled opposition group near the French capital in a move that risks straining already complicated ties between Paris and Tehran.

The French government announced it was freezing assets belonging to two suspected Iranian intelligence operatives, as well as others belonging to Iran's ministry of intelligence and security.

The decision to take retaliatory measures and go public with the accusations was taken three months after the alleged plot to bomb a meeting of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) in a suburb of Paris.

"This extremely serious act envisaged on our territory could not go without a response," France's interior, foreign and economy ministers said in a rare joint statement.

"In taking this decision, France underlines its determination to fight against terrorism in all its forms, particularly on its own territory."

A French diplomatic source told AFP that the security forces had concluded that "the head of operations at the (Iranian) intelligence ministry ordered it".

Iran immediately denied any involvement, as it did in July when the MEK accused it of being responsible.

Raids across Europe

The alleged bomb plot came to light two days after thousands of Iranian opposition supporters gathered at an exhibition centre outside Paris on June 30.

The meeting was attended by two allies of US President Donald Trump, former House speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

The People's Mujahedin was formed in the 1960s to overthrow the Shah of Iran and it continues to organise opposition to the current leaders of the Islamic republic who took power following the 1979 revolution.

Belgium announced in July that it had arrested a couple in a Brussels suburb who were suspected of preparing to drive a car packed with explosives to the French rally.

But a total of six people were then detained in coordinated raids by European police.

One of the detained men was an Iranian diplomat based in Vienna who was stopped by German police.&nbsp;

The diplomat, Assadollah Asadi, was targeted by the asset freezes announced by French authorities Tuesday, as well as Saeid Hashemi Moghadam, who the French diplomatic source said was head of operations at the intelligence ministry.

Asadi is set to be extradited to Belgium to face trial, German authorities announced on Monday.

"We deny the accusations and forcefully condemn the Iranian diplomat's arrest, and call for his immediate release," a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Diplomatic strains

The measures announced Tuesday come as French President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani are at odds on a host of issues.&nbsp;

Macron, who hoped to improve ties with Tehran at the start of his presidency last year, has allied with Iran over the 2015 nuclear deal which limits the Islamic Republic's atomic programme.

While US President Donald Trump has pulled out of the agreement and denounced it, Macron has been vocal supporter and has worked to keep the accord alive despite US sanctions.

But Macron is at loggerheads with Rouhani over the wars in Syria and Yemen, in which Iran is a major player, and has raised concerns about the country's ballistic missile programme.

The US considers Iran to be the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism because of its links with a host of armed groups, particularly the powerful Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories, as well as other networks in Iraq and Yemen.

Iran has been blamed in the past for carrying out attacks in countries as far afield as Argentina, India and Thailand.

The French diplomatic source said Iran was suspected of carrying out "several" assassinations of opposition figures in the European Union since 2015.&nbsp;

Also Tuesday, around 200 French police launched a dawn anti-terror raid on one of the biggest Shiite Muslim centres in France, the Zahra Centre France, as well as the homes of its directors.

Eleven people were questioned -- three of them arrested, security sources told AFP, including for the illegal possession of firearms.

The Zahra Centre France was founded in 2009 by Yahia Gouasmi, a pro-regime activist and religious figure who has spoken in support of Hezbollah.

Gouasmi is also the founder of the Anti-Zionist Party in France and an associate of controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, a convicted anti-Semite.

France accused Iran's intelligence ministry on Tuesday of being behind a foiled plot to bomb an exiled opposition group near the French capital in a move that risks straining already complicated ties between Paris and Tehran.

France accused Iran's intelligence ministry on Tuesday of being behind a foiled plot to bomb an exiled opposition group near the French capital in a move that risks straining already complicated ties between Paris and Tehran. The French government announced it was freezing assets belonging to two suspected Iranian intelligence operatives, as well as others belonging to Iran's ministry of intelligence and security. The decision to take retaliatory measures and go public with the accusations was taken three months after the alleged plot to bomb a meeting of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) in a suburb of Paris. "This extremely serious act envisaged on our territory could not go without a response," France's interior, foreign and economy ministers said in a rare joint statement. "In taking this decision, France underlines its determination to fight against terrorism in all its forms, particularly on its own territory." A French diplomatic source told AFP that the security forces had concluded that "the head of operations at the (Iranian) intelligence ministry ordered it". Iran immediately denied any involvement, as it did in July when the MEK accused it of being responsible. Raids across Europe The alleged bomb plot came to light two days after thousands of Iranian opposition supporters gathered at an exhibition centre outside Paris on June 30. The meeting was attended by two allies of US President Donald Trump, former House speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. The People's Mujahedin was formed in the 1960s to overthrow the Shah of Iran and it continues to organise opposition to the current leaders of the Islamic republic who took power following the 1979 revolution. Belgium announced in July that it had arrested a couple in a Brussels suburb who were suspected of preparing to drive a car packed with explosives to the French rally. But a total of six people were then detained in coordinated raids by European police. One of the detained men was an Iranian diplomat based in Vienna who was stopped by German police. The diplomat, Assadollah Asadi, was targeted by the asset freezes announced by French authorities Tuesday, as well as Saeid Hashemi Moghadam, who the French diplomatic source said was head of operations at the intelligence ministry. Asadi is set to be extradited to Belgium to face trial, German authorities announced on Monday. "We deny the accusations and forcefully condemn the Iranian diplomat's arrest, and call for his immediate release," a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Diplomatic strains The measures announced Tuesday come as French President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani are at odds on a host of issues. Macron, who hoped to improve ties with Tehran at the start of his presidency last year, has allied with Iran over the 2015 nuclear deal which limits the Islamic Republic's atomic programme. While US President Donald Trump has pulled out of the agreement and denounced it, Macron has been vocal supporter and has worked to keep the accord alive despite US sanctions. But Macron is at loggerheads with Rouhani over the wars in Syria and Yemen, in which Iran is a major player, and has raised concerns about the country's ballistic missile programme. The US considers Iran to be the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism because of its links with a host of armed groups, particularly the powerful Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories, as well as other networks in Iraq and Yemen. Iran has been blamed in the past for carrying out attacks in countries as far afield as Argentina, India and Thailand. The French diplomatic source said Iran was suspected of carrying out "several" assassinations of opposition figures in the European Union since 2015. Also Tuesday, around 200 French police launched a dawn anti-terror raid on one of the biggest Shiite Muslim centres in France, the Zahra Centre France, as well as the homes of its directors. Eleven people were questioned -- three of them arrested, security sources told AFP, including for the illegal possession of firearms. The Zahra Centre France was founded in 2009 by Yahia Gouasmi, a pro-regime activist and religious figure who has spoken in support of Hezbollah. Gouasmi is also the founder of the Anti-Zionist Party in France and an associate of controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, a convicted anti-Semite.

France accuses Iran over bomb plot near Paris, Tehran denies allegations 

Syria's foreign minister on Saturday denounced US, French and Turkish forces operating in his country as "occupying forces" and demanded that they leave immediately.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem also called on Syrian refugees to come home, even though the country's war is now in its eighth year.

Moualem, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said the foreign forces were on Syrian soil illegally, under the pretext of fighting terrorism, and "will be dealt with accordingly."

"They must withdraw immediately and without any conditions," he told the assembly.

Moualem insisted that the "war on terror is almost over" in Syria, where more than 360,000 people have died since 2011, with millions more uprooted from their homes.

He said Damascus would continue "fighting this sacred battle until we purge all Syrian territories" of both terror groups and "any illegal foreign presence."

The United States has some 2,000 troops in Syria, mainly training and advising both Kurdish forces and Syrian Arabs opposed to President Bashar al-Assad.

France has more than 1,000 troops on the ground in the war-wracked country.

On the issue of refugees, Moualem said the conditions were fine for them to return, and he blamed "some western countries" for "spreading irrational fears" that prompted refugees to stay away.

"We have called upon the international community and humanitarian organizations to facilitate these returns," he said. "They are politicizing what should be a purely humanitarian issue."

The United States and the European Union have warned that there will be no reconstruction aid for Syria until there is a political agreement between Assad and the opposition to end the war.

UN diplomats say a recent agreement between Russia and Turkey to set up a buffer zone in the last major rebel stronghold of Idlib has created an opportunity to press ahead with political talks.

The Russian-Turkish deal averted a large-scale assault by Russian-backed Syrian forces on the province, where three million people live.

Moualem however stressed that the agreement had "clear deadlines" and expressed hope that military action will target jihadists including fighters from the Al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, who "will be eradicated."

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura is hoping to soon convene the first meetings of a new committee comprised of government and opposition members to draft a post-war constitution for Syria and pave the way to elections.

Moualem laid out conditions for the Syrian government's participation in the committee, saying the panel's work should be restricted "to reviewing the articles of the current constitution," and warned against interference.

Syria's foreign minister on Saturday denounced US, French and Turkish forces operating in his country as "occupying forces" and demanded that they leave immediately.

Syria's foreign minister on Saturday denounced US, French and Turkish forces operating in his country as "occupying forces" and demanded that they leave immediately. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem also called on Syrian refugees to come home, even though the country's war is now in its eighth year. Moualem, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said the foreign forces were on Syrian soil illegally, under the pretext of fighting terrorism, and "will be dealt with accordingly." "They must withdraw immediately and without any conditions," he told the assembly. Moualem insisted that the "war on terror is almost over" in Syria, where more than 360,000 people have died since 2011, with millions more uprooted from their homes. He said Damascus would continue "fighting this sacred battle until we purge all Syrian territories" of both terror groups and "any illegal foreign presence." The United States has some 2,000 troops in Syria, mainly training and advising both Kurdish forces and Syrian Arabs opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. France has more than 1,000 troops on the ground in the war-wracked country. On the issue of refugees, Moualem said the conditions were fine for them to return, and he blamed "some western countries" for "spreading irrational fears" that prompted refugees to stay away. "We have called upon the international community and humanitarian organizations to facilitate these returns," he said. "They are politicizing what should be a purely humanitarian issue." The United States and the European Union have warned that there will be no reconstruction aid for Syria until there is a political agreement between Assad and the opposition to end the war. UN diplomats say a recent agreement between Russia and Turkey to set up a buffer zone in the last major rebel stronghold of Idlib has created an opportunity to press ahead with political talks. The Russian-Turkish deal averted a large-scale assault by Russian-backed Syrian forces on the province, where three million people live. Moualem however stressed that the agreement had "clear deadlines" and expressed hope that military action will target jihadists including fighters from the Al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, who "will be eradicated." UN envoy Staffan de Mistura is hoping to soon convene the first meetings of a new committee comprised of government and opposition members to draft a post-war constitution for Syria and pave the way to elections. Moualem laid out conditions for the Syrian government's participation in the committee, saying the panel's work should be restricted "to reviewing the articles of the current constitution," and warned against interference.

Syria calls on US, French, Turkish forces to withdraw immediately

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron reacted on the Rafale deal row describing it as a "government-to-government" discussion, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

According to reports, Macron also stated that he was not in power when the multi-billion dollar agreement for 36 fighter jets was signed between India and France.

"I will be very clear. It was a government-to-government discussion and I just want to refer to what Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi very clearly said a few days ago," Macron, who became French President in May last year, told reporters here Tuesday without elaborating.

"I don't have any other comment. I was not in charge at that time and I know that we have very clear rules," he said in his first comment on the issue.

Macron was answering a query on whether or not the Indian government, at any point, had told France or Dassault - the French aerospace major - that they had to accept Reliance as the Indian partner for the Rafale deal.&nbsp;

India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September last year for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore, nearly one-and-half years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the proposal during a visit to Paris. The delivery of the jets is scheduled to begin from September 2019.

"This one is very important to me because this is a strategic" coalition and not just an industrial relation. "That is my point. I just want to refer to what PM Modi said on this situation," he said.

A controversy around the Rafale deal erupted when French media quoted former president Francois Hollande as saying that the selection of the Indian company in the Rafale deal was done at the behest of New Delhi.

Hollande said that the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence as the partner for the French aerospace giant in the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale deal and France did not have a choice.

The report quoted Hollande as saying, "It was the Indian government that proposed this service group, and Dassault which negotiated with Ambani. We had no choice, we took the interlocutor who was given to us."

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party recently raised several questions about the deal including the rates and accused the government of compromising national interest and security while promoting "crony capitalism" and causing a loss to the public exchequer.

Prime Minister Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after holding talks with the French president Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016.

The French government has said it was in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners.

In its statement, Dassault Aviation said the contract for the supply of 36 Rafale jets is a government-to-government agreement, adding "It provides for a separate contract in which Dassault Aviation commits to making compensation investments (offsets) in India worth 50 per cent of the value of the purchase."

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron reacted on the Rafale deal row describing it as a "government-to-government" discussion, news agency PTI reported.

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron reacted on the Rafale deal row describing it as a "government-to-government" discussion, news agency PTI reported. According to reports, Macron also stated that he was not in power when the multi-billion dollar agreement for 36 fighter jets was signed between India and France. "I will be very clear. It was a government-to-government discussion and I just want to refer to what Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi very clearly said a few days ago," Macron, who became French President in May last year, told reporters here Tuesday without elaborating. "I don't have any other comment. I was not in charge at that time and I know that we have very clear rules," he said in his first comment on the issue. Macron was answering a query on whether or not the Indian government, at any point, had told France or Dassault - the French aerospace major - that they had to accept Reliance as the Indian partner for the Rafale deal. India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September last year for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore, nearly one-and-half years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the proposal during a visit to Paris. The delivery of the jets is scheduled to begin from September 2019. "This one is very important to me because this is a strategic" coalition and not just an industrial relation. "That is my point. I just want to refer to what PM Modi said on this situation," he said. A controversy around the Rafale deal erupted when French media quoted former president Francois Hollande as saying that the selection of the Indian company in the Rafale deal was done at the behest of New Delhi. Hollande said that the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence as the partner for the French aerospace giant in the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale deal and France did not have a choice. The report quoted Hollande as saying, "It was the Indian government that proposed this service group, and Dassault which negotiated with Ambani. We had no choice, we took the interlocutor who was given to us." Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party recently raised several questions about the deal including the rates and accused the government of compromising national interest and security while promoting "crony capitalism" and causing a loss to the public exchequer. Prime Minister Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after holding talks with the French president Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016. The French government has said it was in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners. In its statement, Dassault Aviation said the contract for the supply of 36 Rafale jets is a government-to-government agreement, adding "It provides for a separate contract in which Dassault Aviation commits to making compensation investments (offsets) in India worth 50 per cent of the value of the purchase." (With inputs from PTI)

'I  want to refer to what PM Modi said on Rafale deal,' says French President Macron 

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian criticised Donald Trump's "destabilising" foreign policy today after the US leader fell out with historic US allies then "practically hugged" North Korea's dictator in a matter of days.

Le Drian said yesterday's historic summit between Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un was "an undoubted step forward", but he expressed concern about the US president's diplomatic manoeuvres.

"In the space of just a day you see President Trump attacking Mr Trudeau who is a historic ally, and you see President Trump breaking with his collective allies after the G7 meeting in Quebec, and the next day practically hugged a dictator born into a Communist dictatorship which just a few days ago he said he was completely opposed to," he said.

"We are in a destabilising situation," Le Drian told CNews television.

"President Trump has decided to progressively dismantle the tools of multilateralism created after the last war. It is a period of uncertainty and risk... America is shutting itself away in its fortress of power."

Trump's critics have seized on his warm embrace of Kim, days after a spectacular bust-up with G7 allies at a summit in Canada, as the latest sign of his rapport with autocrats.

Trump clashed badly with leaders of the G7's Western democracies over tariffs and accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of being "dishonest and weak" at a summit that ended in farce last weekend.

Like many officials, Le Drian raised questions over how Kim's promise to help rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons could be achieved.

"There have already been in the past gestures towards denuclearisation by the father of Kim Jong Un that came to nothing," Le Drian said.

"So today it's good news, let's take it as such, but let's make sure this principle of denuclearisation which was flaunted at this summit is really irreversible and verifiable."

Le Drian said yesterday's historic summit between Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un was 'an undoubted step forward'

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian criticised Donald Trump's "destabilising" foreign policy today after the US leader fell out with historic US allies then "practically hugged" North Korea's dictator in a matter of days. Le Drian said yesterday's historic summit between Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un was "an undoubted step forward", but he expressed concern about the US president's diplomatic manoeuvres. "In the space of just a day you see President Trump attacking Mr Trudeau who is a historic ally, and you see President Trump breaking with his collective allies after the G7 meeting in Quebec, and the next day practically hugged a dictator born into a Communist dictatorship which just a few days ago he said he was completely opposed to," he said. "We are in a destabilising situation," Le Drian told CNews television. "President Trump has decided to progressively dismantle the tools of multilateralism created after the last war. It is a period of uncertainty and risk... America is shutting itself away in its fortress of power." Trump's critics have seized on his warm embrace of Kim, days after a spectacular bust-up with G7 allies at a summit in Canada, as the latest sign of his rapport with autocrats. Trump clashed badly with leaders of the G7's Western democracies over tariffs and accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of being "dishonest and weak" at a summit that ended in farce last weekend. Like many officials, Le Drian raised questions over how Kim's promise to help rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons could be achieved. "There have already been in the past gestures towards denuclearisation by the father of Kim Jong Un that came to nothing," Le Drian said. "So today it's good news, let's take it as such, but let's make sure this principle of denuclearisation which was flaunted at this summit is really irreversible and verifiable."

France alarmed after Trump 'practically hugged' Kim: Minister

France is increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, sending warships through the South China Sea and planning air exercises to help counter China's military build-up in disputed waters.

In late May, the French assault ship Dixmude and a frigate sailed through the disputed Spratly Islands and around a group of reefs that China has turned into islets to push back against Beijing's claim to own most of the resource-rich South China Sea.

"Our patrol involved passing close to these islets to obtain intelligence with all the sensors it is possible to use in international waters," the Dixmude's commanding officer, Jean Porcher, told reporters in a video interview.

Writing in The Wall Street Journal, a researcher from the Hudson Institute think-tank who was onboard, said that "several Chinese frigates and corvettes" tailed the French vessels.

Porcher said the ship maintained "cordial" radio contact with Chinese military vessels, "which were present in the area until we left".

So far the United States has taken the lead in confronting China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea, which are contested by several neighbours, particularly Vietnam.

But France, which along with Britain is the only European nation to regularly send its navy into the region, has also waded into the dispute, sending its ships into the South China Sea three to five times a year.

In August, the airforce will stage its biggest-ever exercises in southeast Asia as part of a strategy to mark France's presence in a region that is home to 1.5 million French citizens in the country's overseas territories.

Three Rafale fighter jets, one A400M troop transporter and a C135 refuelling tanker will fly from Australia to India, with several stop-offs along the way.

The sea and air operations follow a visit by President Emmanuel Macron last month to Australia, where he spoke of the need to protect the Indo-Pacific region from "hegemony" -- a veiled reference to Beijing's growing might.

He stressed that France, which will be the last country in the EU after Britain leaves the bloc to have territories in the Pacific, did not want to antagonise China.

But a "strong Indo-Pacific axis" was needed to ensure respect for freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, he told Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Macron appears to be "realistically assessing the growing Chinese challenge", said Jonas Parello-Plesner, a researcher from the US-based Hudson Institute who was an observer on the recent French navy voyage.

"This is a welcome change from his predecessors, who were enthralled by the business and investment opportunities in China," he wrote in The Wall Street Journal.

But France had already began to push back against China's expansionism before Macron took power.

Since 2014, the navy has sailed regularly through the South China Sea as part of its stated bid to uphold a rules-based maritime order.

In 2016, then French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (now the foreign minister) called on other European navies to develop a regular and visible presence in the South China Sea.

Besides protecting navigation, France has cited the need to defend the interests of its citizens scattered across five French territories in the Pacific, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

"This region is also our home," current Defence Minister Florence Parly said during a visit to Singapore in early June.

Valerie Niquet, an expert on the Asia-Pacific region at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, said France's growing assertiveness showed the US was no longer the only Western power "getting involved in the area".

"Faced with China the US obviously plays the main deterrent role, but it's not pointless or trivial for a power like France, a permanent member of the (UN) Security Council, to take a firm, principled position and carry out concrete actions," she said, predicting that it would "marginalise China's position a little bit more".

Analysts point to another factor underpinning France's growing activism in the Indo-Pacific region: the need to show buyers of French arms that Paris has their back.

In 2016, India agreed buy 36 Rafale fighter jets and Australia signed a deal worth 50 billion Australian dollars ($37 billion, 31 billion euros) for 12 next-generation French submarines.

"That is also doubtlessly pushing France to be a lot firmer on subjects that, up until recently, were broached with great care," Niquet said.

Porcher said the ship maintained 'cordial' radio contact with Chinese military vessels, 'which were present in the area until we left'

France is increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, sending warships through the South China Sea and planning air exercises to help counter China's military build-up in disputed waters. In late May, the French assault ship Dixmude and a frigate sailed through the disputed Spratly Islands and around a group of reefs that China has turned into islets to push back against Beijing's claim to own most of the resource-rich South China Sea. "Our patrol involved passing close to these islets to obtain intelligence with all the sensors it is possible to use in international waters," the Dixmude's commanding officer, Jean Porcher, told reporters in a video interview. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, a researcher from the Hudson Institute think-tank who was onboard, said that "several Chinese frigates and corvettes" tailed the French vessels. Porcher said the ship maintained "cordial" radio contact with Chinese military vessels, "which were present in the area until we left". So far the United States has taken the lead in confronting China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea, which are contested by several neighbours, particularly Vietnam. But France, which along with Britain is the only European nation to regularly send its navy into the region, has also waded into the dispute, sending its ships into the South China Sea three to five times a year. In August, the airforce will stage its biggest-ever exercises in southeast Asia as part of a strategy to mark France's presence in a region that is home to 1.5 million French citizens in the country's overseas territories. Three Rafale fighter jets, one A400M troop transporter and a C135 refuelling tanker will fly from Australia to India, with several stop-offs along the way. The sea and air operations follow a visit by President Emmanuel Macron last month to Australia, where he spoke of the need to protect the Indo-Pacific region from "hegemony" -- a veiled reference to Beijing's growing might. He stressed that France, which will be the last country in the EU after Britain leaves the bloc to have territories in the Pacific, did not want to antagonise China. But a "strong Indo-Pacific axis" was needed to ensure respect for freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, he told Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Macron appears to be "realistically assessing the growing Chinese challenge", said Jonas Parello-Plesner, a researcher from the US-based Hudson Institute who was an observer on the recent French navy voyage. "This is a welcome change from his predecessors, who were enthralled by the business and investment opportunities in China," he wrote in The Wall Street Journal. But France had already began to push back against China's expansionism before Macron took power. Since 2014, the navy has sailed regularly through the South China Sea as part of its stated bid to uphold a rules-based maritime order. In 2016, then French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (now the foreign minister) called on other European navies to develop a regular and visible presence in the South China Sea. Besides protecting navigation, France has cited the need to defend the interests of its citizens scattered across five French territories in the Pacific, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia. "This region is also our home," current Defence Minister Florence Parly said during a visit to Singapore in early June. Valerie Niquet, an expert on the Asia-Pacific region at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, said France's growing assertiveness showed the US was no longer the only Western power "getting involved in the area". "Faced with China the US obviously plays the main deterrent role, but it's not pointless or trivial for a power like France, a permanent member of the (UN) Security Council, to take a firm, principled position and carry out concrete actions," she said, predicting that it would "marginalise China's position a little bit more". Analysts point to another factor underpinning France's growing activism in the Indo-Pacific region: the need to show buyers of French arms that Paris has their back. In 2016, India agreed buy 36 Rafale fighter jets and Australia signed a deal worth 50 billion Australian dollars ($37 billion, 31 billion euros) for 12 next-generation French submarines. "That is also doubtlessly pushing France to be a lot firmer on subjects that, up until recently, were broached with great care," Niquet said.

France challenges Beijing in South China Sea

&nbsp;A man has taken two people hostage at a business centre in Paris.

The French police said the incident did not appear to be terrorism-related.

Police said the man had asked to communicate with the Iranian embassy so that they could convey a message to the French government.&nbsp;

Reports said the man&nbsp;doused petrol on the hostages.&nbsp;The man is reportedly armed and holding at least two people.&nbsp;

"Officials will be trying to start a negotiation with the man," police union official Yves Lefebvre told BFM TV.

There is no information yet about the exact profile of the hostage-taker.

&nbsp;

The man is reportedly armed and holding at least two people.

A man has taken two people hostage at a business centre in Paris. The French police said the incident did not appear to be terrorism-related. Police said the man had asked to communicate with the Iranian embassy so that they could convey a message to the French government. Reports said the man doused petrol on the hostages. The man is reportedly armed and holding at least two people. "Officials will be trying to start a negotiation with the man," police union official Yves Lefebvre told BFM TV. There is no information yet about the exact profile of the hostage-taker.

Hostage crisis in Paris; man demands to be put in touch with Iran embassy

An 18th-century Chinese vase found in a shoebox in an attic in France sold for 16.2 million euros ($19 million) at auction in Paris on Tuesday.

The price was more than 20 times the estimate of 500,000 euros to 700,000 euros auctioneers Sotheby's had put on the item. It was the highest price reached for a single item sold by Sotheby's in France.

The vase spent some of its life stashed in an attic with other items that formed part of an inheritance. A French family retrieved the vase and brought it to the auctioneer.

The 30 cm, bulb-shaped vase, painted in delicate shades of green, blue, yellow and purple, was described as an exceptionally well-preserved porcelain vessel made for an emperor of the Qing dynasty.

It depicts deer, birds and other animals in a wood, and includes gold embroidery around the neck. The vase bears a mark of the Qianlong Emperor who ruled China from 1736 to 1796.

The auction lasted some 20 minutes, a long time by usual standards for such sales, with multiple bidders battling for the prize.

The buyer was Asian but the firm did not wish to reveal the name or nationality.

The 16.2 million euros ($19.11 million) sale price included 2 million euros in auction costs and commissions.

The 16.2 million euros ($19.11 million) sale price included 2 million euros in auction costs and commissions

An 18th-century Chinese vase found in a shoebox in an attic in France sold for 16.2 million euros ($19 million) at auction in Paris on Tuesday. The price was more than 20 times the estimate of 500,000 euros to 700,000 euros auctioneers Sotheby's had put on the item. It was the highest price reached for a single item sold by Sotheby's in France. The vase spent some of its life stashed in an attic with other items that formed part of an inheritance. A French family retrieved the vase and brought it to the auctioneer. The 30 cm, bulb-shaped vase, painted in delicate shades of green, blue, yellow and purple, was described as an exceptionally well-preserved porcelain vessel made for an emperor of the Qing dynasty. It depicts deer, birds and other animals in a wood, and includes gold embroidery around the neck. The vase bears a mark of the Qianlong Emperor who ruled China from 1736 to 1796. The auction lasted some 20 minutes, a long time by usual standards for such sales, with multiple bidders battling for the prize. The buyer was Asian but the firm did not wish to reveal the name or nationality. The 16.2 million euros ($19.11 million) sale price included 2 million euros in auction costs and commissions.

Watch: Chinese vase found in shoebox sells for $19 million

Germany and France on Sunday sharply criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to abruptly withdraw his support for a Group of Seven communique, accusing him of destroying trust and acting inconsistently.

Trump's announcement on Twitter, after he left the G7 summit in Canada early, that he was backing out of the joint communique torpedoed what appeared to be a fragile consensus on a trade dispute between Washington and its top allies.

Trump also took aim at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and said he might double down on import tariffs by hitting the sensitive automobile industry, throwing G7 efforts to show a united front into disarray.

G7 members Germany and France said they stood by the communique despite Trump's decision.

"In a matter of seconds, you can destroy trust with 280 Twitter characters," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said when asked about Trump's U-turn, adding it would take much longer to rebuild lost trust.

Trump's conduct was "actually not a real surprise, we have seen this with the climate agreement or the Iran deal", Maas, a senior member of the Social Democrats (SPD), a partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition, told reporters.

Trump withdrew the United States from the global deal reached in Paris in December 2015 to curb global warming, and last month from world powers' July 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, asserting that it was one-sided in Tehran's favour.

SPD leader Andrea Nahles accused Trump of turning the G7 summit into a disaster with his tweets and bowing out of his international responsibilities. "President Trump is creating chaos. Reasonable and reliable policy is not possible that way."

France and Europe are standing by the G7 communique, a French presidency official said, adding anyone departing from the commitments made at the summit would be showing their "incoherence and inconsistency".

"International cooperation cannot depend on being angry and on sound bites. Let's be serious," the French official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters.

Trump has infuriated the European Union, Canada and Mexico by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, accusing all of having shortchanged the United States in trade deals. They strongly deny this.

Trump and European allies are also at odds over Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the deal in which Iran curbed its disputed nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, and the Paris climate change accord.

"We have to keep a cool head now and draw the right conclusions," Maas said. Europe's answer must be to stick even closer together, defend its interests and strengthen alliances with countries such as Japan and Canada, he said.

"Europe united is the answer to America First," Maas added.

A German government spokesman also said that Berlin stands by the jointly agreed G7 communique in which leaders underlined the crucial role of a rules-based international trading system and promised to fight protectionism.

In Washington, the top White House economic adviser accused Canada's prime minister on Sunday of betraying Trump with "polarising" statements on U.S. trade policy that risked undermining the American leader on the eve of a historic summit with North Korea.

Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, lashed out at Trudeau as "amateurish" and "sophomoric" for a news conference the prime minister gave after Trump left the G7 summit on Saturday.

Trudeau told reporters that he had spoken of retaliatory measures that Canada would take next month in response to Trump's decision to slap tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Trump's announcement on Twitter, after he left the G7 summit in Canada early, that he was backing out of the joint communique torpedoed what appeared to be a fragile consensus on a trade dispute between Washington and its top allies

Germany and France on Sunday sharply criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to abruptly withdraw his support for a Group of Seven communique, accusing him of destroying trust and acting inconsistently. Trump's announcement on Twitter, after he left the G7 summit in Canada early, that he was backing out of the joint communique torpedoed what appeared to be a fragile consensus on a trade dispute between Washington and its top allies. Trump also took aim at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and said he might double down on import tariffs by hitting the sensitive automobile industry, throwing G7 efforts to show a united front into disarray. G7 members Germany and France said they stood by the communique despite Trump's decision. "In a matter of seconds, you can destroy trust with 280 Twitter characters," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said when asked about Trump's U-turn, adding it would take much longer to rebuild lost trust. Trump's conduct was "actually not a real surprise, we have seen this with the climate agreement or the Iran deal", Maas, a senior member of the Social Democrats (SPD), a partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition, told reporters. Trump withdrew the United States from the global deal reached in Paris in December 2015 to curb global warming, and last month from world powers' July 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, asserting that it was one-sided in Tehran's favour. SPD leader Andrea Nahles accused Trump of turning the G7 summit into a disaster with his tweets and bowing out of his international responsibilities. "President Trump is creating chaos. Reasonable and reliable policy is not possible that way." France and Europe are standing by the G7 communique, a French presidency official said, adding anyone departing from the commitments made at the summit would be showing their "incoherence and inconsistency". "International cooperation cannot depend on being angry and on sound bites. Let's be serious," the French official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. Trump has infuriated the European Union, Canada and Mexico by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, accusing all of having shortchanged the United States in trade deals. They strongly deny this. Trump and European allies are also at odds over Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the deal in which Iran curbed its disputed nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, and the Paris climate change accord. "We have to keep a cool head now and draw the right conclusions," Maas said. Europe's answer must be to stick even closer together, defend its interests and strengthen alliances with countries such as Japan and Canada, he said. "Europe united is the answer to America First," Maas added. A German government spokesman also said that Berlin stands by the jointly agreed G7 communique in which leaders underlined the crucial role of a rules-based international trading system and promised to fight protectionism. In Washington, the top White House economic adviser accused Canada's prime minister on Sunday of betraying Trump with "polarising" statements on U.S. trade policy that risked undermining the American leader on the eve of a historic summit with North Korea. Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, lashed out at Trudeau as "amateurish" and "sophomoric" for a news conference the prime minister gave after Trump left the G7 summit on Saturday. Trudeau told reporters that he had spoken of retaliatory measures that Canada would take next month in response to Trump's decision to slap tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Germany, France blast Trump over Group of Seven U-turn

World number one Rafael&nbspNadal&nbspsaid it was beyond a dream to win his 11th Roland Garros title after defeating Austrian Dominic Thiem in straight sets on Sunday.

"It's amazing now, I can't describe my feelings,"&nbspNadal&nbsptold the crowd on Philippe Chatrier Court moments after capturing his 17th Grand Slam trophy with a 6-4 6-3 6-2 victory.

"It's not even a dream to win here 11 times, because its impossible to think of something like this."

Nadal&nbspsaluted his 24-year-old opponent, who is the only man to have beaten the Spaniard on clay over the past two seasons.

"He's very aggressive, with big shots,"&nbspNadal&nbspsaid in halting French before switching to English.

"I want to say well played to Dominic. He played a great two weeks. He's a good friend, one of these players that the tour needs. I am sure you'll win here in the next couple of years."

The emotional Spaniard wiped away tears as he held on to the Coupe de Mousquetaires.

"Many thanks," he told the crowd. "I hope to see you again next year."

World number one Rafael Nadal said it was beyond a dream to win his 11th Roland Garros title after defeating Austrian Dominic Thiem in straight sets

World number one Rafael&nbspNadal&nbspsaid it was beyond a dream to win his 11th Roland Garros title after defeating Austrian Dominic Thiem in straight sets on Sunday. "It's amazing now, I can't describe my feelings,"&nbspNadal&nbsptold the crowd on Philippe Chatrier Court moments after capturing his 17th Grand Slam trophy with a 6-4 6-3 6-2 victory. "It's not even a dream to win here 11 times, because its impossible to think of something like this." Nadal&nbspsaluted his 24-year-old opponent, who is the only man to have beaten the Spaniard on clay over the past two seasons. "He's very aggressive, with big shots,"&nbspNadal&nbspsaid in halting French before switching to English. "I want to say well played to Dominic. He played a great two weeks. He's a good friend, one of these players that the tour needs. I am sure you'll win here in the next couple of years." The emotional Spaniard wiped away tears as he held on to the Coupe de Mousquetaires. "Many thanks," he told the crowd. "I hope to see you again next year."

It's beyond a dream to win French Open title 11 times: Rafael Nadal

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