Minister vows to fight death sentence

The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says he is willing to "do anything" to save an Iranian woman facing a death sentence for adultery.

Mr Kouchner called Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's sentence of death by stoning "the height of barbarism". He added: "I'm ready to do anything to save her. If I must go to Tehran to save her, I'll go to Tehran."

Having spoken to one of Ms Ashtiani's lawyers, Mr Kouchner declared that the case had become a "personal cause" for him.

Iran lifted the stoning sentence for the 43-year-old after an international outcry. She could still be hanged.