Rouhani-Hollande lunch scrapped on ‘demand of halal’

Paris: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and his French counterpart Francois Hollande had to scrap their lunch at Paris upmarket restaurant after the Iranian requested a halal, alcohol-free meal.

French officials reportedly said that serving traditional local food and wine went against Iranian values.

The Dawn quoted that The Elysee Palace in Paris as suggesting the heads of state to share breakfast instead, but this was rejected as ‘too cheap’.

‘The leaders have missed out on a great opportunity to meet in the relaxed environment of a meal’ said a French official.

Rouhani’s visit to Italy was considered more stable as their officials kept alcohol off the menu at state dinners and even covered up ancient nude statues in Rome.(ANI)