Twenty retired generals in France have called for the military rule if French President Emmanuel Macron fails to stop the disintegration of the country at the hands of the Islamists, in an open letter.
The letter published in the right-wing publication, Valeurs Actuelles, says a military rule might be necessary to stop the ‘civil war’ in France. The present government, however, has condemned the letter and likened it to the failed coup attempt against President de Gaulle 60 years ago.
Meanwhile, far-right groups have lauded the open letter. Among the prominent advocates of the letter is far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen. As per the reports, nearly 80 officers have also signed the letter besides 20 generals.
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The incendiary letter reads: ‘France is in danger. Several mortal perils threaten her. Even in retirement, we remain soldiers of France and cannot in the present circumstances remain indifferent to the fate of our beautiful country.’
The retired officers argued that France was ‘disintegrating with the Islamists of the hordes of the banlieue [suburbs] who are detaching large parts of the nation and turning them into territory subject to dogmas contrary to our constitution’.
The retired military personnel believes that the country was plunged into civil war leading to the death of thousands if nothing is done today.
The officers claimed that they have wide support in the French military and called the politicians that they are ready to support if they give attention to the safety of the nation.
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Le Pen took the site where the letter was published and joined the call of retired military officers. ‘I invite you to join our activities and take part in the battle that is opening and is above all the battle of France. As a citizen and as a woman politician, I share your suffering,’ wrote Le Pen.
National Rally added that the letter reflected the views of patriots generals like General Pierre de Villiers, former chief of defense staff who was sacked by Macron in 2017.