New Delhi: France on February 7 backed India's candidature for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council and its fight against terrorism even as it expressed concern over the situation in South Asia and said war should be the last resort against Iraq.

Asserting that France's approach to India was bolstered by the firm conviction that the country was a key player in the international society, visiting French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said, "We are impressed by the way you are trying to solve your social and economic problems. We are backing India's candidacy for a permanent seat on the Security Council to ensure it can raise its voice in an equal world."

The French Premier was addressing Indian youth at an interaction titled 'India and France: Preparing the future together.'

France, he said, was aware of India's continuing fight against terrorism. "There are no good terrorists...we must carry a global vision of terrorism. We must be united and must not get divided," he said in an apparent reference to "double standards" on the issue and description of terrorists as "freedom fighters" by Pakistan and some other countries.

In his written speech, circulated on the occasion, he said, "France has condemned with utmost firmness all acts of terrorism on Indian soil, and in particular attacks against such symbolic institutions as the Parliament or places of worship. This violence must cease and must be fought against."

PTI