France ready to receive former SLA members

French Defense Minister Alain Richard stressed on Thursday that his country can accommodate former members of the pro-Israel South Lebanese Army militias, following Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon.

In a press conference he held on Thursday at the residence of the French ambassador in Tel Aviv, Richard added, concerning the individual "destiny of former members of the SLA, if they are wishing to resort to France, our position will be directed by the asylum-seeking right."

He refused to give details on the number of members of these militias who can be accommodated in France.

The French defense minister added that he did not talk in detail concerning having these SLA members during the talks he held on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, adding, "This matter was not practically discussed."