France yesterday issued an international warrant for the arrest of French businessman Pierre Falcone, who is also the Angolan envoy to Unesco, on suspicion of having illegally sold weapons to Angola, sources close to the case said.

Falcone, whose appointment to the UN's Scientific, Cultural and Education organisation gives him limited diplomatic immunity, came under investigation on suspicion of having organised the sale of $500-million worth of jets, helicopters and other weaponry to the Angolan government of Eduardo Dos Santos in 1993 and 1994.

The sales allegedly took place during the southwest African country's civil war, in breach of international sanctions.

He was also investigated for allegedly buying influence.

Falcone denies the charges.

He spent 11 days in French custody in October 2002 for breaking a bail agreement by meeting another person under investigation in the same arms-to-Angola case.

He had previously spent a year in pre-trial detention before being released in December 2001 under the parole conditions.

Angola's government said last September it complied with international law when it appointed Falcone as its ambassador to Unesco even though he is under investigation in France for alleged illegal arms trafficking. – Sapa-AFP.