France calls North Korea rocket launch 'senseless provocation'

It has called for 'tough response' from UN Security Council to North Korea's rocket launch

France condemned North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket today as "senseless provocation" and called for a "rapid and tough" response from the UN Security Council.

"France condemns with the utmost firmness the new flagrant violation by North Korea of the resolutions of the Security Council," the presidential Elysee Palace said in a statement.

"The launch is a senseless provocation," it added, saying "France calls for a rapid and tough response from the international community at the Security Council" meeting in New York later today.