French President Nicolas Sarkozy insisted on Tuesday to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue by "combining firmness with dialogue."
Speaking at the general debate of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly, Sarkozy acknowledged Iran's right to develop nuclear power for civilian purposes.
"But if we allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, we would incur an unacceptable risk to stability in the region and in the world. We would threaten the very existence of the Non- Proliferation Treaty," he declared.
"I want to say here, in the name of France, that we can only resolve this crisis by combining firmness with dialogue," the French president said, adding "that is the spirit in which France intends to act."
Sarkozy also stressed that it is the duty of the international community to confront those who seek power and constantly threaten the fragile balance of peace with unflinching unity and determination to uphold the law.
Relations between Iran and France had remained tense since Kouchner warned on Sept. 16 that the world should brace for a possible war over the Iranian crisis.
In an interview with French TV LCI, Kouchner said: "We must prepare for the worst ... (and) the worst is war."
However, Kouchner has since backed away from the comment.
The United States has been seeking to impose tougher sanctions on Iran through the UN Security Council on the grounds that Tehran is developing a nuclear weapon program under the guise of a civilian-use program.
Meanwhile, Washington has never ruled out military action against Iranian targets for Tehran's suspicious nuclear programs.
While strongly denying the U.S. allegations, Iran has insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and voiced hope for talks to defuse the nuclear standoff.
Source: Xinhua
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