France — President Nicolas Sarkozy stated that "only dialogue can bring a democratic and lasting solution to the current crisis"[2] French Socialist Party First Secretary, Martine Aubry, called on the French government to be tougher towards the Tunisian government. "I would like to say to the Tunisian people that it has the full support and solidarity of the PS, and we ask that France adopt a strong position condemning the unacceptable repression."[4] Foreign Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie offered to send paratroopers to help quell the protests against Ben Ali just days before she left office.[5][6] On 24 January, Paris's state prosecutor office announced that it had opened an investigation into French assets held by Ben Ali.[7][8] Alliot-Marie faced criticism and calls for her resignation in February after news broke that she flew in a private jet owned by a Tunisian businessman during the uprising.[9] President Nicolas Sarkozy responded by telling his ministers to take their holidays in France more often saying "What was commonplace a few years back can prove shocking nowadays."[10] On 27 February, the French foreign minister's office announced her resignation, saying that an open letter had been sent to Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, in which Alliot-Marie made clear she felt she had not done anything wrong.[11] According to The Economist: "French police hint that more than €70m ($93m) in gold was moved to Dubai and Istanbul via French airports by Mr Ben Ali's staff during Tunisia's revolution. (French customs officials apparently reported the transfers to superiors but no action was taken.)".[12] Iran — Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani praised the protests by the Tunisian people "to restore their rights."