France hopes to welcome Iran's president in January after a visit last month was postponed due to the Paris attacks, the head of the French Senate said Saturday.

Gerard Larcher, who is visiting Tehran, said French President Francois Hollande "hopes to be able to welcome" Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani "on January 27 and 28".

Rouhani was due to visit France on November 16-17 but the trip -- the first by an Iranian president in 10 years -- was postponed after jihadist  attacks in Paris just three days before killed 130 people.

He had also been due to visit Italy on his first European tour.

Rouhani condemned the Paris attacks as "crimes against humanity".

Larcher said he hoped the visit would be "the starting point of stronger relations" between Paris and Tehran.

Larcher, who is expected to meet Rouhani Sunday, held talks in Tehran with Iran's parliament chief, Ali Larijani, on ways to combat terrorism.

Larijani said that, after the Paris attacks, claimed by the Islamic State group, "France, more than any other country, could become active against terrorism through strength and willpower".
Source: AFP