The longest-standing foreign affairs minister in Europe has hit out at the prospect of hard-right politician Marine le Pen gaining power in France, insisting “we don’t need” her in a Europe she wants to “destroy”.

The border arrangement with the North could be destroyed by Brexit, according to Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn.

The European Union has demanded that Iran immediately and unconditionally release 15 British sailors and marines and warned of undefined “appropriate measures” if Tehran does not comply.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has accepted an invitation to meet European foreign ministers next month.