IRAQ

Globeandmail: French reject U.S. appeal for support in Iraq

Paris — French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin rejected a renewed U.S. appeal for more international military support for Iraq on Thursday, saying sending in French troops would only prolong a tense situation.

Mr. de Villepin also said the deaths Tuesday of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Qusay, signalled "the end of an era" but warned they could spark more resistance from some Iraqis who might try to avenge the deaths.

"To build on a system that now exists (and) to add foreign forces to the coalition forces doesn't appear to us the best way to guarantee security in Iraq," Mr. de Villepin told France-Inter radio.