Jordanian Crown Prince receives French envoy to Iraq

Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan received Tuesday the French envoy to Iraq, Bertrand Dufourcq, director general of French Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, they discussed the developments taking place regarding the current crisis between Iraq and the UN.

It is necessary to defuse the crisis, Crown Prince Hassan said. "Jordan will continue its diplomatic efforts along with other concerned parties to end the crisis peacefully;" the crown prince said, "The crisis will result in dangerous consequences."

The French envoy reviewed the point of view adopted by France regarding the current Iraqi crisis. French President Jacques Chirac was eager to contact Iraqi leadership directly, he said.

It is a very sensitive situation and France wants observance of international obligations and UN resolutions to be respected, French envoy said.

"France prefers diplomacy to end the crisis and ensure that Iraq completely abide by the UN Security Council's resolutions," he said.