PARIS, March 30 (Xinhuanet) -- France reiterated its "full support" for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday, after the publication of a critical report of the American Paul Volcker on the UN oil-for-food program in Iraq.

    "We've noted that the report clearly excludes any irregularities on the part of the secretary general," French Foreign Ministry's spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said at a news conference.

    "We reassert our full support for the secretary general and our willingness to work with him to confront the numerous challenges that the UN must take up, notably reform of the world body in the best possible conditions," he said.

    Former US Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker, who led the inquiry commission said there was no evidence that Annan had used his influence in the 1998 awarding of a contract to Swiss inspection firm Cotecna, which employed his son Kojo.

    But the report said Annan's subsequent probe into whether there was a conflict of interest regarding Kojo was "inadequate," and that Cotecna's contract would likely not have been renewed if a through investigation had been done.

    As to Kojo, the French spokesman said France is awaiting a definitive report before making comments. Enditem