Macron hits out at ‘ Islamic seperatism’ in France

French president Emmanuel Macron has criticised what he called “Islamic separatism” in his country, and those who seek citizenship without accepting “the right to commit blasphemy”.

Mr Macron defended satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which published caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed that helped inspire two Frenchborn Islamic extremists to mount a deadly January 2015 attack on the paper’s newsroom. Some 14 people went on trial this week in connection with the attack.

Speaking at a ceremony celebrating France’s democratic history and naturalising new citizens, Mr Macron said freedom of expression went “up to the right to blasphemy ”, adding :“To be French is to defend the right to make people laugh, to criticise, to mock, to caricature.”