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France asks Saudi Arabia, Iran to ease tension

Xinhua, January 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

France on Monday called on Saudi Arabia and Iran to ease the escalating diplomatic row between the two main powers in the Middle East, a government official said.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Stephane Le Foll, government spokesman, said "France hopes for a de-escalation of tension" between Riyadh and Tehran triggered by the execution of a Shi'ite Muslim cleric.

"France calls on each side to reduce tension. We need to be vigilant about what is happening between Saudi Arabia and Iran," Le Foll was quoted as saying by local media.

On Saturday, Saudi Arabia executed Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shi'ite cleric, on charges of inciting violence against police alongside dozens of Sunnis convicted of al-Qaeda attacks on Saudi territory.

The executions prompted angry Iranian protesters to set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran. Following the incident, Saudi Arabia decided to cut diplomatic ties with Iran. Endit