Macron accuses leaders of exploiting France's riots

French President Emmanuel Macron said recent riots are being used abroad for political purposes, accusing foreign leaders of disliking France.

"There is no visible foreign interference in the events that took place, but there has been foreign manipulation of information in the aftermath," Macron told reporters Wednesday during a visit to Qatar.

Without naming them, Macron suggested that US President Donald Trump, whose party is struggling ahead of mid-terms elections, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a general election in the coming days, are campaigning at France's expense.


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As an example, Macron cited images generated by artificial intelligence depicting scenes that never actually took place in France and fake reports claiming the country has been taken over by migrants and Islamists.

"All the people who are speaking ill of our country right now are people who don't love our country. So these people annoy me," Macron said, calling comments from some foreign leaders unacceptable and stupid.

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TOUR TO GULF

Macron insisted one of the key goals of his ongoing tour across Gulf countries is to secure diesel and gas supplies that will help lower energy prices. and ease social tensions.