In a state ceremony that conveyed the country’s pride and profound sadness, President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute on Wednesday to the officer who he said had the “gratitude, admiration and affection of the whole country”. It was the first time Mr Macron had been called upon to deliver a state funeral homage since his election in May 2017. He speech made reference to Joan of Arc, members of the French resistance and others who had died for the country. Arnaud Beltrame, who died during last week’s siege in Trèbes. He was motivated by very high moral values, the values of service, generosity, giving oneself, abnegation,” she said.

Source: The Irish Times March 28, 2018 11:03 UTC