France and Iraq restored diplomatic relations today after a 13-year break over Baghdad's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
The French Foreign Ministry said the two countries had agreed to install ambassadors quickly. France opposed the US-led war that toppled Saddam Hussein last year but wants a share of reconstruction projects following the war.
"The two governments are convinced that this decision will contribute to the tightening of links and exchanges between France and Iraq and will be in the interest of both countries," the ministry said in a statement.
France has rejected US requests for military help in quelling violence in Iraq. But it has said it is willing to help train Iraqi security forces and supports limited forgiveness of Iraqi debt to help Baghdad.
France has also made clear it wants its firms to have a share of potentially lucrative reconstruction contracts to help rebuild Iraq.