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Royal under attack for Iran remark

PARIS, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- France's Socialist party presidential candidate Segolene Royal is under attack in her country for her recent remark on Iran.

The Financial Times reported that Royal said in a televised debate that Iran should be stopped from developing a civil nuclear energy program. Iran has been claiming its nuclear program is only for civilian use, but the West says it is a cover to hide its nuclear weapons program.

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"We must have an extremely strong diplomatic action to prevent Iran from getting nuclear power, which would be very dangerous for the whole region," Royal said.

Her other Socialist rivals and France's defense minister responded by saying she does not understand the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and lacks diplomatic skills to become the next president. France says as a signatory to the NPT, Iran has a right to civil nuclear power.

A Royal spokesman told the Times her ideas are "in line with the international community's stance on Iran."

In an earlier incident, the report said Royal was seen as being confused over a question about Turkey's entry into the European Union.

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