Paris – Non-essential French embassy staff have left Iran, two sources with knowledge of the matter told AFP Monday, as the Islamic republic’s authorities cracked down on protests in the country.
The personnel left on Sunday and Monday, the sources added, without saying how many people had departed.
“The embassy’s structure has been reconfigured to allow it to handle its duties in the local context,” the French foreign ministry told AFP, adding: “The protection of our personnel and our citizens is a priority.”
The embassy in Tehran usually counts around 30 expatriate employees, as well as a few dozen local staff members.
“Our embassy is open and functioning. The ambassador is there, with his team. We are handling the services needed by our nationals who might be in Iran,” the foreign ministry said.
The precaution taken by France came as internet and ordinary telecommunications in Iran remain cut off by the country’s cleric-led authorities, who have deployed security forces to counter the protests.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO said it confirmed 648 people have been killed during the protests, including nine minors, and that thousands more have been wounded.
But it warned the true death toll was likely much higher – “according to some estimates more than 6,000”.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Screengrab
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Source: AFP
