France looks to arms, nuclear energy accords during Gadhafi visit
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
France hopes to achieve arms deals and agreements on nuclear energy during a visit to Paris next week by Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi, the French presidential spokesman said Friday.
David Martinon, a spokesman for President Nicolas Sarkozy, said the French government hopes a "large number" of accords will be signed during Gadhafi's visit, which will begin Monday. Martinon said agreements might be reached on arms, nuclear energy, agriculture and health.
Regarding arms, Martinon said only that French, French-German or French-German-Italian companies might be interested in agreements.
Gadhafi, who came to power in a 1969 military coup, used to be considered a pariah by the West. His visit, at Sarkozy's invitation, "marks a significant step in Libya's progressive (return) to the international community," Martinon said.