Moslem bodies in France sign document

Representatives from 18 Moslem associations in France on Friday signed a document with the French government that would regulate relations between the two sides.

The text, signed with French Interior Minister Jean-Pierre Chevenement, would give the Moslem community, the second largest after Christians, a formal recognition and a role in the state affairs, Kuwaiti news agency KUNA reported.

They have been excluded from the annual meetings that the French president traditionally holds with Jewish and Christian leaders.

According to a statement released after the meeting, the Moslem associations agreed to hold a second meeting with the French government to set out other issues related to the Moslem rights and role in the country.

The Moslem representatives said after the meeting that "there are some modifications" on the text that need to be worked out.

The interior minister said last week that the document would "formally confirm the integration of Islam in the republic just as the other religions."