PARIS, Dec. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin sent Sunday their condolences to Asian tsunami victims.

    In a statement Chirac expressed France's solidarity and extend its sincere condolences to Asian leaders whose countries were hit by the tsunami, which made thousands of victims.

    In a letter to Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Chirac said: "In these painful circumstances, I want to express France's solidarity and address to you my sincerest condolences. Iask you to communicate my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims."

    He also sent condolences messages to Indian Prime Minister Manhmohan Singh, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinewatra.

    Meanwhile French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin also expressed on Sunday his "deepest sympathies" to the Asian countries hit by the most deadly tidal wave.

    In a statement Raffarin "expressed French solidarity to the people of the countries hit", the prime minister's office said. Enditem