PARIS (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday he would refuse to greet any world leader who refused to recognise Israel -- a remark apparently ruling out any face-to-face meetings with Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Sarkozy made the off-the-cuff remark in a speech to theFrench-Jewish community in which he reaffirmed his strongsupport for international sanctions against Tehran over itsnuclear programme.
"I won't shake hands with people who refuse to recogniseIsrael," Sarkozy declared.
Ahmadinejad, Iran's hardline president, has in the pastcalled for the Jewish state to be "wiped off the map".
France has led the way in pressing for sanctions at theU.N. Security Council and in the European Union to get Iran tohalt atomic work which Western powers fear is aimed at makingbombs.
It recently urged energy companies Total and Gaz de Franceto refrain from investing in the OPEC country.
Iran says its nuclear programme is a peaceful drive togenerate electricity.
"Proliferation is a grave threat to international security.We cannot sit by and do nothing while Iran developstechnologies which are in violation of international law,"Sarkozy said.
"Given that Iran has chosen the fait accompli we do nothave any other choice but to strengthen its isolation thatinvolves new sanctions at the Security Council and the EuropeanUnion," he said.
Sarkozy announced he would visit Israel in May to mark the60th anniversary of Israel's founding after a March visit toParis by Israel President Shimon Peres.
(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by RichardBalmforth)
