France welcomes Mugabe's decision to resign

PARIS (Reuters) - France welcomed Robert Mugabe's decision to resign as Zimbabwe's president on Tuesday, its foreign ministry saying it was ready to help the country deal with its political transition in cooperation with African and international partners.

"We welcome this decision, which must now pave the way for a peaceful political transition, respectful of the legitimate aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Agnes Romatet-Espagne said in a statement.

(This version of the story has been officially corrected after foreign ministry changes statement attribution)

(Reporting by Michel Rose; editing by John Stonestreet)