Hollande demands concrete action from Iran on nuclear drive

French President Francois Hollande said Wednesday he wanted "concrete acts and gestures" from Iran to show it was not pursuing nuclear arms, adding that he backed "other sanctions" if Tehran failed to do so.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on an official visit to Paris, Hollande added: "This is a threat which cannot be accepted by France," he said, addressing a joint.

Related stories:

• Iran says has images of restricted Israeli areas
• Op-ed: The Iranian bluff
• Iran weighs tougher line in stalled nuclear talks 
  

"We have voted for many sanctions and are ready to vote others as long as necessary," he said.

The French president further urged Israel and the Palestinian Authority to resume peace talks, saying negotiations were the only way to achieve and agreement.

Netanyahu and Hollande (Photo: GPO)

According to the French media, Netanyahu reiterated his administration’s unwavering position on Iran, and called for “even tougher sanctions against Iran.

"The sanctions are taking a bite out of Iran's economy, but unfortunately they have not stopped the Iranian nuclear program.”

The two-day trip is Netanyahu's first since Hollande took office.

A Prime Minister's Office source said that it was Netanyahu's "First opportunity to talk with President Hollande, and he hopes to build a good working relationship with the French leader."

The two will travel to Toulouse on Thursday to attend a memorial ceremony for three children and a French-Israeli teacher shot dead at a Jewish school in March by Mohammed Merah, who confessed that he was inspired by al-Qaeda before being killed in a shootout with police.

Since taking office five months ago, Hollande has only spoken to Netanyahu by telephone but met Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas twice – both times in Paris.

• Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter
  

• Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop