France calls on citizens to exercise extreme caution

France, whose military has bases and a regular presence in the Mideast, has called on French citizens in the region to exercise extreme caution.

''A military escalation is underway... It’s not the time for negotiations, we are in a situation of war,’' junior defense minister, Alice Rufo, told France-2 television Saturday, comparing the situation to what happened last June.

''Our priority is the protection of our citizens and protection of our forces in the region,’' she said.

Asked if French forces were involved in the U.S. and Israeli strikes or targeted in retaliatory strikes, French military spokesperson Col. Guillaume Vernet said: ''The French armed forces continuously adapt their posture to threats and implement measures to ensure the surveillance and protection of military installations where French soldiers are deployed.’'   — AP

He would not elaborate.

''Our military presence guarantees France’s independent assessment of the situation,’' he told the AP.