PARIS, Sept. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac sent Saturday a message to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to express "France's solidarity with the Russian people" after the hostage crisis in a school of Beslan in North Ossetia, southern Russia.

    In the message made public by his office, Chirac said he has learnt the result of the horrible terrorist tragedy with consternation and a very great sadness and ensured that France is "ready to respond to all assistance request in the field of urgent medical aid".

    "We all share in the pain of the Russian people," Chirac added,expressing his "deep sympathy with the families of the victims and their loved ones." Enditem