Macron keen to keep military presence in Mideast

French President Emmanuel Macron was on Monday committing to continue the fight against the militant Islamic State group, including through France's military presence in the Middle East. Macron has stated again that "France was keen on having a French military presence in the region within the framework of the fight against the Islamic State group (IS)", said Sibeth Ndiaye, spokesperson of the French government.

Macron said during a Cabinet meeting that he also condemned Iran's "aggressive intentions" and its decision to abandon the 2015 nuclear deal, according to Ndiaye.

Ndiaye said the French president called for a de-escalation of tensions over recent events, including the US airstrike that killed Iran's top military commander last week in Baghdad. France has over 1,000 troops involved in the military operation against IS in Iraq and Syria.

In a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, Macron expressed his "full solidarity" with the US-led coalition in Iraq and France's determination to work with partners to ease tensions. Iraq's parliament on Sunday called for US troops in the country to leave.