PARIS, Dec 10: French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Monday he had asked Moamer Qadhafi for “progress” on human rights, as he prepared to sign 10 billion euros of contracts with the visiting Libyan leader.

Qadhafi flew into Paris on Monday on a five-day visit, his first for more than 30 years, sparking protests from rights campaigners and criticism from the government’s own human rights minister.

On his highest-profile foreign visit since his return to international respectability four years ago, Kadhafi was driven in a white limousine from Orly airport straight to a meeting with Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace.

Sarkozy’s government has fended off charges that it has betrayed its rights commitments by inviting the Libyan leader, who despite his rehabilitation by the West is accused of continuing violations.

Police arrested around 80 people for demonstrating without authorisation near the Elysee and the guest-residence where Qadhafi is staying.

The French president told reporters after their talks that he had asked Kadhafi for “progress on the path of human rights”.

—AFP