Iranian President Rouhani says nuke deal could be pattern for peace

PARIS: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says successful negotiations over his country's nuclear conflict with the West could serve as an example for solving multiple regional crises in the Middle East.

Rouhani, in a speech to French think tank IFRI, said that for such diplomacy to work, both sides must "lower our pretensions."

Speaking through a translator, he said "that allowed us to reach accords" on curbing Iran's nuclear program and lifting sanctions. "Each side must feel it is a win-win agreement."

He was responding to a question about how Iran can contribute to restoring order in Middle East.

Rouhani's visit to Paris is focused on renewing trade ties, but France also wants to draw in Iran's help in peacemaking in the region, notably in Syria and Yemen, and easing tensions with regional rival Saudi Arabia.

A near-naked woman hanging from a noose-like rope from a Paris bridge has sent a message to visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

"Welcome Rouhani, Executioner of Freedom," read a huge banner across the pedestrian bridge over the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower. The protest Thursday by feminist group Femen is calling attention to the large number of executions in Iran.

Iran is one of the world's largest users of the death penalty, ranking second behind China in 2014, according to Amnesty International. Most Iranian executions are linked to drug smuggling.

Sarah Constantin, the activist who hung from the bridge, said they organized the "public hanging" to call attention to those executed for political reasons and put pressure on French President Francois Hollande to bring up human rights in his meeting with Rouhani.