[12/September/2012]

SANA'A, Sep. 12 (Saba) - President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi met here on Tuesday with French ambassador to Yemen Frank Julie, who expressed the France's condemnation of the terrorist attack targeted the defense minister.

A car bomb struck yesterday the Minister's convoy after leaving the weekly cabinet meeting. The minister survived while 6 soldiers and 2 citizens were killed and 14 civilians were wounded.

The ambassador said that such acts aimed to destabilize Yemen and deter the progress of the political settlement in the country.

Julie asserted that French interest and close follow up to the implementation of the gulf initiative, saying that France would present all consultative, technical and economic aid to Yemen in this regard.

President Hadi indicated to the critical and sensitive circumstances experienced by Yemen in the light of the economic and political impasses as well as the aftermaths of the 2011 crisis, pointing to the country's need to the international community's assistance to overcome them.

Concerning the joint relationship with French Company of Total, Hadi describe it as long and strategic, saying it will witness positive and transparent development away from all previous negative aspects.

President Hadi and the French ambassador reviewed several issues concerning the mutual relations and the French investments in the country.

AF
Saba