PARIS (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac was to receive Hashemi Samareh, a special envoy of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, at the Elysee palace Tuesday evening, his office said.

Talks were expected to focus on international efforts to persuade Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment program.

There will be no access for journalists, officials said.

In its latest response to world powers, Tehran has said it is willing to discuss suspending enrichment but will not allow it to be a precondition for more talks.