Turkey's Erdogan slams France's Macron for comments on 'Islamist separatism'

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during a meeting in Ankara, Turkey October 6, 2020. Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan upbraided French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday over his comments last week pledging to fight "Islamist separatism", saying the remarks were "a clear provocation" and showed the French leader's "impertinence".

Macron had said "Islamist separatism" was threatening to take control in some Muslim communities in France and a bill on the issue would be sent to parliament with steps restricting home-schooling and encouraging teaching of Arabic.