41.   Delors, a former finance minister for the socialists, said only his sense of duty and not ambition would make him seek the French presidency.

42.   Elections for the French presidency take place next month, and for the parliament in just three months.

43.   European employers on Monday urged the French presidency of the European Union to take the lead in boosting business competitiveness, saying it was indispensible for reducing unemployment.

44.   The state visit will be his first since taking over the French presidency in May.

45.   The summit brought down the curtain on a French presidency.

46.   The Socialist candidate for the French presidency, Lionel Jospin, for the first time out-distanced front-runner Prime Minister Edouard Balladur in a public opinion released on Tuesday.

47.   The United States rebuffed a French request to recall several diplomats accused of spying and suggested Thursday the espionage scandal was linked to the campaign for the French presidency.

48.   Jacques Chirac will meet German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on Thursday in his first act of international diplomacy after assuming the French presidency, his aides said on Tuesday.

49.   Jacques Delors, the outgoing head of the European Commission, told French television Monday only his sense of duty would make him seek the French presidency next year.

50.   Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri will discuss the latest flareup in the Middle East with French President Jacques Chirac here on Sunday, the French presidency announced Saturday.