France urges Middle East to stop boycott of French products as Macron defends cartoons

France has urged countries in Middle East to immediately stop calls for a boycott of French products to protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s stance on cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. Macron had defended right to show a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad after murder of a French teacher who showed cartoons of religious leader in class.

Macron had said that teacher "was killed because Islamists want our future", but France would "t give up our cartoons". visual depiction of Prophet Muhammad in any form since can cause serious offence to Islamic fundamentalists because y believe it amounts to blasphemy. ongoing controversy led to boycott of French goods in some supermarket of Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar.

French foreign ministry said in a statement that calls for a boycott distort France’s position on freedom of expression and freedom of religion. ministry said that such calls also distort remarks made by Macron during tribute to Samuel Paty, teacher murdered over cartoons, which were aimed at fighting against radical Islam. 

"se calls for boycott are baseless and should stop immediately, as well as all attacks against our country, which are being pushed by a radical mirity," statement read.

Read: Outrd By Killing Of Teacher In France, Macron's Govt To Expel 231 Religious Extremists

Read: France Withdraws Ambassador From Turkey After Erdogan Questions Macron's Mental State

Erdogan's 'mental health' comment

Earlier on October 24, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Macron “needs treatment” for his mental health condition while criticising his attitude toward Islam and Muslims. Erdogan’s comment infuriated France, prompting it to recall its ambassador to Turkey for consultation. French Presidency said, "excess and rudeness are t a method," adding that "we are t accepting insults."

French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian later blasted Turkish authorities for t condemning terrorist attack and resorting to “hateful and slanderous propaganda” against France. He called conduct “unacceptable”, especially from an allied nation, adding that French Ambassador to Turkey has been recalled for consultations.

Read: Turkey's Erdogan Questions Macron's 'mental State', France Recalls Envoy In Protest

Read: Paul Pogba Quits France's Football Team After President Macron's Remarks On Islam: Reports