Paris tries to avert ‘new tensions’ in Mideast, Macron says in talks with Iraqi, UAE leaders

French President Emmanuel Macron says Paris deeply respects the “security and sovereignty” of Iraq and pledges to keep in touch with Iraqi President Barham Salih to avert “further escalation of tensions” in the region, a day after a US airstrike assassinated Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

In a telephone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart on Saturday, Macron discussed the latest tensions in the Middle East, said a statement from the Elysée, adding that both leaders “agreed to remain in close contact to avoid any further escalation in tensions and in order to act to ensure stability in Iraq and the broader region.”

General Soleimani, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy chief of the Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), was assassinated during the early hours of Friday. Four other Iranians and four more Iraqis in their company were also martyred.

The Pentagon said in a statement that President Donald Trump ordered the US military to assassinate the top Iranian commander.

Iran Leader vows 'harsh revenge' following assassination of Gen. Soleimani

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says a harsh revenge will be taken against the criminals who assassinated IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani.

Following Soleimani's assassination, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said those who assassinated the IRGC Quds Force commander must await a harsh revenge.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that the “cruelest people on earth” assassinated the “honorable” commander who “courageously fought for years against the evils and bandits of the world.”

Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) also said in a statement that a severe vengeance "in due time and right place" awaited criminals behind the vicious act of terror.

Who was General Qassem Soleimani?

Major General Qassem Soleimani played a major role in defending Iran and assisting regional countries against terrorism.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and Iraq’s Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, along with the Arab country’s president, have already denounced the deadly airstrike as a flagrant breach of Iraq’s sovereignty and a sheer violation of international agreements.

In another telephone conversation, the French president raised the subject with the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with whom he also expressed his “concern,” said Elysée in a separate press release on Saturday.

The two leaders “agreed to act together with all involved parties to avoid a dangerous escalation of tensions in the region,” it added.

The targeted assassination of one the most eminent Iranian military officials raises fears of a conflagration between the US and Iran prompting many countries in the region or in Europe to call on all parties to show restraint.

In photos: Funeral held for Gen. Soleimani, his companions

Iraq held a huge funeral procession for Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and his nine other companions who were martyred in a US drone strike in Baghdad Airport on Friday. High-ranking dignitaries attended the funeral cortege. 

Additionally on Saturday, tens of thousands of people marched in Baghdad to mourn the loss of General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi.

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