France: After rightwing opponents of President Emmanuel Macron accused him of "erasing" French identity, French officials removed a temporary installation of the European Union flag from the Arc de Triomphe monument in Paris on Sunday.

On New Year's Eve, the large blue flag was raised in place of a French flag to honour France's turn as rotating president of the EU Council. For the rest of this week, the arch, a memorial to war dead, and other monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Pantheon will be lighted with blue lights.

However, Macron's right-wing opponents in the next presidential race seized on the removal of the tricolour flag, calling it an insult to France's tradition and veterans.

"Yes, preside over Europe, but no, destroy the French identity!" Valerie Pecresse, a conservative contender who polls suggest could be Mr. Macron's major adversary in the forthcoming election, tweeted.

"We owe it to our troops who bled their blood for it," she said, urging him to return the French flag.

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