FILE - In this Friday, June 18, 2010 file photo, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, right, waves as she leaves 10 Downing Street in London with her husband French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, after their lunch with British Prime Minister, David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron. Iran's hardline media have called the French first lady a "prostitute" after she expressed strong support for an Iranian woman facing death by stoning for adultery. (AP Photo/Sang Tan, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 14, 2010 file photo, French President Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy attends the annual Bastille Day military parade on The Champs Elysee Avenue in Paris, France. Iran's hardline media have called the French first lady a "prostitute" after she expressed strong support for an Iranian woman facing death by stoning for adultery. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

By Ali Akbar Dareini

Source:

August 31, 2010

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has sought to distance itself from harsh remarks by a hard-line newspaper, which called France’s first lady a “prostitute” for condemning the stoning sentence against an Iranian woman convicted of adultery.

In comments Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says “insulting” foreign dignitaries like Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is incorrect and not sanctioned by the government.

The Kayhan daily first called Bruni-Sarkozy a “prostitute” Saturday. It repeated the criticism Tuesday. Like the Iranian woman, it said, she too deserves to die.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, whose sentence has been temporarily suspended, could still face execution after a final review of her case. The case has prompted an international outcry.