France's Macron turns down interior minister's offer to resign (UPDATE 1)

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, one of President Emmanuel Macron's closest allies, offered to step down on Monday but Macron refused to accept his resignation, the presidential palace said in a statement.

Two weeks ago, Collomb announced plans to quit the government and run for election as mayor of the French city of Lyon in 2020 and indicated he would resign following European Parliament elections in May 2019.

"Following the attacks on the minister since he said he would be a candidate for the Lyon mayor post, the president has confirmed his confidence in him and has asked him to remain fully committed to his mission," the statement said, confirming a report on French daily Le Figaro's website.