Protesters vandalised the French embassy in Niamey after a military junta moved to seize power in the aid- and security-dependent West African nation, reports Euronews.
Emmanuel Macron "will not tolerate any attack against France and its interests" in Niger and Paris will retaliate "immediately and uncompromisingly", the French government said on Sunday, as thousands demonstrated outside the French embassy in Niamey in support of an ongoing military coup.
"Anyone attacking French nationals, the army, diplomats or French bases would see France retaliate immediately and intractably," the Elysée Palace warned in a statement. "The President of the Republic will not tolerate any attack against France and its interests."
According to the Quai d'Orsay, 500 to 600 French nationals are currently in Niger.
"France also supports all regional initiatives aimed at "restoring constitutional order" and the return of the elected president Mohamed Bazoum, the palace added.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned "any violence against diplomatic compounds, the security of which is the responsibility of the host state".