FORMER French President Francois Hollande has two words for US President Donald Trump’s claim that gun-toting Parisians could have thwarted Islamic State attackers at Paris’ Bataclan concert hall: “indecent and despicable.”

French anger erupted this weekend at Mr Trump’s comments to the National Rifle Association — and especially at his trigger-firing hand gesture imitating the Bataclan attackers.

Multiple extremists with explosive belts and assault weapons killed 130 people in the 2015 attacks on the Bataclan, Paris cafes and the national stadium.

Mr Hollande, president during the attacks, called Mr Trump’s gesture “obscene.”

Speaking to BFM television Sunday, Mr Hollande called Mr Trump’s comments “intolerable” for the survivors and victims’ families.

France’s government vigorously defended its gun controls and pressure mounted on President Emmanuel Macron to demand an apology from Mr Trump despite their friendly relationship.

MELANIA TRUMP TO ANNOUNCE CHILDREN’S INITIATIVES
Meanwhile, Melania Trump will announce her initiatives on children’s wellbeing on Monday. The first lady’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, says the focus will be on the overall wellbeing of children, which Mrs Trump has spoken about since becoming first lady.

Ms Grisham adds that the first lady will concentrate her initiative on the range of issues children face as they grow up and will not tailor it to a single topic.

Mrs Trump has a 12-year-old son, Barron, and has expressed her interest in children through numerous visits to hospitals and schools. She recently turned the Blue Room at the White House into a mock classroom and invited middle school students to share their hopes and dreams with her.

Monday’s announcement is set for the Rose Garden.