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But the vote will be blocked from rebel-held enclaves and monitors are dismissing it as a ploy to disguise continuing military rule.

The blaze was Hong Kong's deadliest since 1948, when an explosion followed by a fire killed at least 135 people.

The visit comes almost 30 years after former president Roman Herzog became in 1997 the first German leader to officially recognise the country's "involvement" in the massacre and apologised to the Spanish people.

Macron gave examples of the misinformation he wanted to act against, such as a false claim circulating that France had sent 1,000 legionnaires to the front in Ukraine.

The talks will have infuriated Brussels, which has called on EU members to end their dependence on Russian energy.