Macron pays tribute to troops as he seeks to repair damage French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to members of the armed forces as he visits an air base in the southwestern city of Istres. Macron's address to the troops comes as he seeks to repair the damage following the resignation of the highly-regarded military chief, General Pierre de Villiers, in the wake of a row over the government's plans to slash 850 million euros ($980 million) from his budget. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITESCOMPLETES VID1056314_EN // HD VERSION TO FOLLOW