French press review 31 July 2014

Today's papers are looking in dismay at Libya and Russia and the French commemorate historic socialist leader Jean Jaurès today.

Le Monde is worried about violence in Libya. Any hopes the paper may have had for a tolerant new government have been dashed. It warns that Moamer Kadhafi's fierce dictatorship has been replaced by possibly fiercer militia, just as deaf to human suffering.

The paper tentatively voices regret with the question: isn't this partly our fault?

Maybe the US, France and the UK should not have helped militias seize power three years ago. If you ask international relations specialists, many will tell you the so-called humanitarian intervention in Libya was an obvious mistake. The paper says it's easy to say that now. But it might be good to keep this in mind next time France is feeling trigger-happy.

And when you turn on the lights, think of Putin. Le Figaro reports that Russia has promised a spike in energy prices in Europe in revenge for EU sanctions. The paper is sceptical about the effect these sanctions will have on Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel hasn't been keen to rock the economic relations boat with Russian President Vladimir Putin until recently. But, according to the paper, the downing of the Malaysia Airline flight was the turning point for the EU. And there's no going back now.

Though it's still unclear who bears direct responsibility for the crash, the paper points to Putin. If nothing else, his unwillingness to put an end to unrest in his own backyard is cause enough for him to be in the doghouse for some time.

The French are still very fond of progressive thinker and socialist Jean Jaurès.

And 100 years to the day after his death, L'Humanité, which was founded by none other than Jaurès himself, is having a field day. The paper has reprinted its cover page from 100 years ago with a detailed account of his assassination at the hands of a French nationalist.

According to the reporter, who was an eye-witness, Jaurès was having dinner with colleagues and close friends in a busy restaurant in central Paris. Someone from the café was showing a picture of his daughter and Jaurès had just complimented the young father when two shots were heard and the politician slumped in his chair. A woman's voice was the first to yell: "They've killed Jaurès!"

So why did they kill him?

L'Huma says his ideas on pacifism and human solidarity were bothersome for those in power, as they still are today. Though they can't kill Jaurès again, they can certainly undermine the socialist programme.

Le Monde waxes a bit less lyrical, saying Jaurès has been claimed by political leaders right, left and centre. The leader's name is mentioned so often it's been worn out and his legacy has been watered down.

Left-leaning Libé welcomes the government's intentions to ban a radical pro-Israeli group.

The Jewish Defense League is a small group more concerned with attacking pro-Palestinian activists than with defending anything at all. Libé is taking a clear stance for the organisation to be banned.

According to the paper, one former member of the group repeatedly threatened a reporter over the phone, then called his parents and fooled them into thinking their son had died.

Le Monde has the intriguing story of a farmer whose passion for ancient history got him in trouble. He collected old coins and spearheads dating back to the Roman Empire, finding them by sifting through surrounding fields. He was arrested, though, and his finds estimated to be priceless - in the sense of historically very valuable. He now faces up to four months in prison and his fate will be decided next week.