French President Emmanuel Macron condemned world leaders Wednesday for making what he described as "stupid" comments about the protests in his country.
Macron, without specifically naming anyone, said, "There was foreign manipulation of information which led to unacceptable and even stupid comments by many, including foreign leaders," according to the AFP.
"We saw images generated by AI which showed scenes that never took place in France," Macron reportedly told the media in Doha, Qatar, during a trip to the Middle East.
"We had people who explained that we had been 'invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists' -- which is totally false," the AFP cited Macron as saying.
"In these moments you see who likes France and who does not. All the people who speak badly of us now do not like our country," he reportedly added.
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed Wednesday that his country will respond swiftly to any rioting that comes out of planned protests this upcoming weekend.
"Those who want to cause disorder in city centers next Saturday will be prevented from doing so," Macron said during a visit to Qatar, where he is trying to secure energy deals for France, according to Reuters.
"There must be no wavering at the top of the state," he reportedly added.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said Tuesday that France will deploy some military forces to help out police during the upcoming protests.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday he will meet with intelligence services tomorrow ahead of new protests set for this weekend, according to Reuters.
The development comes as France's Yellow Vest movement – which has drawn international attention for protests in France – is planning a march through Paris on Saturday, including through areas impacted by rioting last weekend, Reuters reported.
The news agency said the grassroots organization is looking to revive their campaign, which began in 2018, against rising living costs and issues with public services.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is also expected to meet with union leaders Wednesday in an attempt to ease tensions in France.
In a letter, Lecornu said in part that the talks should center around ensuring "the indispensable freedom to demonstrate,” Reuters reported.
The protests began in France in September with calls for education reform, before expanding into larger anti-government demonstrations that French officials say are being fueled by far-left groups.
{{#rendered}}President Donald Trump on Tuesday vowed to treat potential rioters in the U.S. “very rough,” pointing to the unrest that has gripped France in recent days.
Trump made the remarks during a speech in Greenville, North Carolina, ahead of the midterm elections, after a heckler interrupted him as he campaigned for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
“They're crazy, these people. Look at that guy. He's a nutjob,” Trump said, referring to the protester in the crowd.
Trump warned that he would crack down on potential threats, saying he would not allow similar unrest to take hold in the U.S.
“That's what you witness over the last three or four days. You watch nutjobs like him in France ruining their country,” Trump said. “We're not going to put up with it by the way.”
“If a possible threat, which could happen, I hope you won't get angry if I treat them very, very rough, because that's what's going to happen. They're not going to destroy our country.”
Yesterday's Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage of the protests in France.
Live Coverage begins here