France denies role in Rwandan genocide

A former French prime minister has angrily denied suggestions that France played a role in the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

Edouard Balladur and three former ministers were the first government officials to testify before a parliamentary inquiry.

The inquiry is looking into published allegations that the French government knowingly armed and supported the Hutu leaders responsible for the massacres.

Human rights groups allege that France played a role as the country tried to maintain its influence in central Africa.

About 800,000 people, mostly ethnic Tutsis, were killed during the genocide.