President Emmanuel Macron of France on Tuesday defended ordering commandos to free hostages held in Burkina Faso as he paid tribute to two French special forces who died in the daring operation, reports The Telegraph.
His defence came amid a row over the risks taken by the tourists.
French special forces Cedric de Pierrepont, 33, and Alain Bertoncello, 28, were honoured at an emotional ceremony at the gold-domed Invalides in Paris - which houses Napoleon’s tomb.
Crowds of well-wishers lined the bridge Alexandre III leading up to the 17th-century building.
"The mission was perilous. The mission was necessary," a visibly moved Mr Macron said in his speech during a 45-minute ceremony attended by family members and masked fellow special forces.
"France is a country that does not abandon its children, no matter the circumstances. Those at the other end of the planet, those who attack a French person, should know that our country will never back down," he went on.