France has praised the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell as "sensible" after he said relations between the two countries would not fall apart due to their spat over Iraq.
"Colin Powell is a man of experience in the diplomatic field and I believe an altogether sensible man. He is aware, just like us, of the historic depth of ties between France and the United States," the French defence minister, Ms Michele Alliot-Marie said during a visit to Oman.
"Being allies implies mutual respect, being friends implies a relationship of confidence that allows one to say he doesn't agree without it turning into a drama," she said.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Powell said relations with France "took a hit but will not fall apart" after Paris' strident opposition to the US-led war that ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
Ms Alliot-Marie said France "is still the United States' ally and friend, but that has never stopped it from expressing its feelings."
"We don't decide where we stand in relation to the United States but in accordance with what we believe. We are neither for opposing the Americans nor for pleasing the Americans," she said.