Yemeni President in France seeks aid and armor

French diplomatic sources said on Tuesday said that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, currently visiting Paris, has expressed during his talks with his French counterpart Jacques Chirac hope of strengthening defense relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The sources explained that French-Yemeni economic relations have been developed in light of the financial protocol for 1996, but noted that Yemen is facing huge economic problems.

The sources added that the Yemeni side expressed its discontent over additional French efforts for French loan guarantees and foreign investment establishments to insure loans pertaining to Yemen

The EU's total aid to Yemen are estimated at US $27 million, of which France's share is 20%.

On the defense level, the sources said that the Yemeni officials asked for more French armored vehicles, of which France has already provided five to the Yemeni armed forces during the current year.

Saleh will conclude his visit to France today, his fourth since 1995.