"France's position with regard to Iran's peaceful nuclear programme is a brake on the development of bilateral relations," Ahmadinejad said as he received the new French ambassador, Bernard Poletti.

"The Iranian people have been saddened by the French position and are waiting for the French government to take positive steps to repair the damage to relations between the two countries."

The so-called EU Three of Britain, France and Germany have been leading negotiations with Iran over its suspect nuclear programme.

In September, France supported an International Atomic Energy Agency resolution that could see Iran hauled before the UN Security Council over its atomic ambitions.

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