PARIS: Over 150 European former diplomats and lawmakers have asked France's foreign minister to withdraw inaccurate statements made about UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. France and Germany want her to resign after Albanese's comments about a “common enemy of humanity” and criticism of “most of the world” and media for enabling Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza. Critics said she called Israel a “common enemy,” but Albanese said this was “a manipulation” and “completely false.” On February 11, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told parliament that Albanese should step down. The former diplomats, in an open letter, condemned the use of “inaccurate and manipulated elements to discredit a holder of an independent UN mandate.” They urged Barrot to “retract his inaccurate statements about Ms Albanese and correct them.” The letter warned that the controversy should not distract from the civilian massacres, humanitarian crisis, and massive human rights violations occurring in Gaza. The letter was signed mostly by former foreign ministers and diplomats from the Netherlands, several European parliament members and senators, and a former South African foreign minister.