French president urges N. Korea, US to defuse tension

PARIS, Aug 12 (KUNA) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday urged the United States and North Korea to cool off their war of words and abstain from any escalation that might aggravate tension between them.
The president in a statement expressed concern at worries resulting from the mounting threats posed by the North Korean nuclear arms and missiles, calling on the international community to take coordinated and firm measures to nudge Pyongyang get involved in "unconditional dialogue." France, he said, urges along with the other member states of the UN Security Council to immediately heed international obligations and dismantle its nuclear and missile programs. (end) mjz.rk