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Sarkozy Says Russia Receptive on Iran Sanctions

PARIS — Russia will back new sanctions against Iran so long as they don't create a humanitarian crisis, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said late Monday after talks with President Dmitry Medvedev.

France is pushing hard for tough new sanctions against Iran to punish Tehran for its nuclear program but is struggling to build consensus in the United Nations Security Council for such a move.

Sarkozy told reporters that Medvedev had "told me of his receptiveness to the question of sanctions so long as they don't create humanitarian dramas."

Sarkozy also said France had entered into exclusive talks to sell Russia four Mistral-class helicopter carriers — a proposed deal that has alarmed Washington and some of NATO's East European allies.

Russia had earlier spoken about buying one ship and building several more under license.

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