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France confirms arrest of consular employee by Israel in Jerusalem

PARIS, March 19 (KUNA) -- The French Foreign Ministry on Monday confirmed that a consular employee from its mission in Jerusalem had been arrested on suspicion of gun-running by Israeli authorities.
The consular employee, apparently a driver, has used his diplomatic immunity to pass between Gaza without controls and allegedly smuggled weapons several times into the West Bank.
"We are taking this affair very seriously," the Foreign Ministry said in a briefing, confirming the arrest of the French national "under serious chrages linked with alleged arms trafficking." Several other people, for their part Palestinians, have also been detained, according to reports.
The Foreign Ministry also indicated that the arrested individual would be given legal assistance and protection of the French diplomatic mission, which was able to visit him on several occasions, including a visit by the French Ambassador to Israel.
France has also instigated an internal enquiry into the allegations and the functioning of the consular mission. (end) jk.mt