Paris, May 21 (IANS) France reiterated the necessity to reach a political solution to stop crisis in Thailand after the country’s army declared martial law nationwide until order had been restored, French foreign affairs ministry said Tuesday.

In a statement posted on the Quai d’Orsay website, the ministry said it took note of Thailand army’s decision to put Southeast Asian second largest economy under martial law to avoid chaos in the capital’s streets, Xinhua reported..

“We follow closely the situation’s developments … France renews its call for a peaceful solution to the political crisis through dialogue and respect of constitutional and democratic principles,” the ministry said.

“In the current circumstances, we call for the respect of the caretaker government’s prerogative (the country’s) only legitimate interlocutor,” it added.

Under martial law, military forces have broad powers over civilian authorities to force a return to calm after anti-government protests which began in November 2013 left dozens killed and 700 injured.