France yesterday warned of a shift towards a "war of civilizations" between the West and the Muslim world, in reference to US President George W. Bush's remarks comparing the Iranian regime with the terrorist group al-Qaida.

"We cannot accept a 'war of civilizations' between a 'western bloc' and a 'Muslim bloc,' French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told the Monte-Carlo Radio (RMC) regarding Bush's remarks.

"Good and evil are not decreed by the West in this country or that continent," he said.

The French minister reaffirmed that Teheran's attitude of refusing to suspend its sensitive nuclear activities, as asked by the international community, was not "satisfying."

However, he noted "more than ever we must keep open a dialogue with Tehran" over this issue.

Concerning the possible sanctions against Iran, Douste-Blazy pled for a "gradual approach" to overcome the divergences between the United States, which is demanding the sanctions, and Russia and China, which are unwilling to accept them.