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I now turn specifically to Iran. I was the first Western foreign minister to condemn president Ahmadinejad's unacceptable words on Israel. France is Israel's friend and is very committed to her security.

Moreover, it was on the very day when I was visiting the Iranian foreign ministry in Beirut that the United Nations Security Council, under French presidency, unanimously, except for Qatar, voted for the possibility of imposing sanctions on Iran if she didn't comply with its demands on civilian nuclear energy.

Indeed, Iran hasn't given satisfaction on the nuclear issue and does not intend, as the IAEA's most recent report confirms, suspending her uranium enrichment activities. This suspension, essential for international security and required by UNSCR 1696, is an absolute prerequisite for restoring trust and resuming negotiations. The Six - the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany - are this very day considering in Berlin what to do next in the face of this attitude. Imposition of sanctions has to be approved by a Security Council resolution. Our objective is to persuade Iran to comply with the demands of the IAEA and Security Council. The major risk is nevertheless that of dividing the international community: the crucial issue is to achieve unanimity on the Security Council.

Let me add that it's more necessary than ever to pursue the dialogue with Iran: this is the policy which France is arguing for and our European partners have rightly adopted for themselves. If everyone behaves responsibly, we'll be able to end the present deadlock. I hope that Tehran will understand that the nuclear issue has to be resolved through negotiation. France is open to dialogue with this country, so long as it is sincere and concrete.

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