Meeting Cancelled After France Refused To Remove Alcohol During Lunch With Iran President

A lunch between the French and Iranian presidents in Paris was called off today because France refused to remove wine from the menu. He was due to dine with President Francois Hollande at an upmarket restaurant in the French capital.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has been on a tour of Europe, signing billions of pounds worth of business deals with different nations, after economic sanctions against the country were lifted.

The French insisted on serving local food and wine but the Iranians demanded a halal menu in keeping with their Muslim faith. Hollande’s officials said preparing the meal to be ‘Iran friendly’ went against France’s republican values.

The Elysee Palace suggested a breakfast with Rouhani instead, but this was said to be snubbed by the Iranian leader for being ‘too cheap’.