Sarkozy to Push Rafale Fighter on Moroccan Visit

`The Rafale is a remarkable aircraft, of the very latest generation,` Sarkozy told Moroccan business daily l`Economiste.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he would try to persuade Morocco of the advantages of French Rafale jet fighters when he visits on Monday, despite signs Rabat has decided to buy cheaper U.S.-built F16s.

"The Rafale is a remarkable aircraft, of the very latest generation," Sarkozy told Moroccan business daily l'Economiste, in an interview released on Sunday ahead of publication.

"There has been consistent interest from a certain number of countries that are potential clients," he said.

"And I personally want to offer Morocco the best of our expertise in this area and in other arms sectors. My ambition is to build cooperation in defence and armaments that will match our political partnership," he said.

"My visit should allow us to advance in this direction."

The Rafale is France's next generation, multi-role combat aircraft, for use as a fighter and bomber. It has been a flagship programme for France's arms industry but has had problems in finding export buyers.

The plane's maker Dassault Aviation has been negotiating with the Moroccans for months.

The company said earlier this month it was awaiting a final decision by the Moroccan government but several newspapers have reported that it had lost out to Lockheed Martin's F-16.