French minister says new Franco-German fighter top priority

PARIS - A senior French minister reaffirmed backing for a new Franco-German-led fighter jet project on Wednesday after conflicting comments over the next stage of the $100 billion venture.

"FCAS remains an absolutely top-level Franco-German ambition," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Reuters on the sidelines of a European space meeting.

He was responding when asked about comments by the head of France's Dassault Aviation, who last week played down a Berlin government announcement that France, Germany and Spain had agreed the next phase. Dassault has been at odds with Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain in the project.