France, Iraq to re-establish relations

PARIS, JULY 6 (AP)

After a 13-year interruption, France and Iraq intend to re-establish diplomatic relations within the next few days, the French Foreign Ministry confirmed.

Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi met with Bernard Bajolet, France's highest diplomatic representative in Iraq, and discussed restoration of ties that Saddam Hussein broke off in 1991 during the Gulf War, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

"Mr. Allawi said he wanted to do it as fast as possible so that France can participate in the reconstruction of Iraq," the spokesman said.

France opposed the US-led war that toppled Saddam last year and has turned down American requests for military help in quelling an insurgency that threatens the interim Iraqi government.

However, France has said it is willing to help train Iraqi security forces and also supports limited forgiveness of Iraqi debt to help the country regain its economic footing.