Sarkozy backs UN sanctions in meeting with Netanyahu

The world must continue to press Iran over its nuclear program, including via a new UN Security Council resolution imposing tougher sanctions on Tehran, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told opposition leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) yesterday.

Sarkozy also told Netanyahu that he plans to make an official visit to Israel in May 2008 in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, the Likud leader said. Netanyahu met with the president during a visit to Paris.

Much of their conversation focused on the Iranian issue. Netanyahu told the French leader that "there is no opposition and coalition in Israel when it comes to Iran's nuclear program; there is also unity with regard to the national intelligence assessment on this issue." The two agreed that diplomatic efforts to thwart Tehran's nuclear program should continue, and that this issue was high priority, according to sources in Netanyahu's entourage.

"Sarkozy did not deviate from his forceful stance on the Iranian issue, despite the American intelligence estimate on the issue, and the [American] report itself was barely mentioned in the conversation," said one.

Netanyahu also urged Sarkozy to work to reduce economic investment in Iran and asked him to bar Iranians connected with the nuclear program from entering France.

On the Palestinian issue, Netanyahu told Sarkozy that "institution-building is very important, so that the Palestinians can stand on their own feet. Jordan and Egypt can also help in this regard."

He added that "security considerations will be dominant in any future agreement, with an emphasis on issues such as disarmament and air space." To that, according to sources in Netanyahu's entourage, Sarkozy replied: "I've said more than once that Israel's security is not something we will compromise on."