After a one-day tour of the southeastern city, largely flattened by the December 26 earthquake, Aillagon said he was "bowled over" by the level of destruction and proposed long-term help including the rebuilding of a hospital as well as technical expertise in seismology.

"As a minister of culture, I was naturally interested in the situation of the citadel," he said, explaining that Iran was pressing for a meeting of the UN's cultural body UNESCO to examine the prospect of restoring the citadel.

"Naturally, France is very interested in taking part," said the minister, who was accompanied on his visit by architects specialising in mud-brick constructions.

Bam's mud-brick old quarter, with the ancient citadet at its heart, is believed to date back to the Parthian era around the time of Christ. It was a major attraction for both Iranian tourists and foreign tour groups.

It was one of the wonders of Iran's cultural heritage, and once the largest mud-brick fortress in the world.

Aillagon said France had also offered cartographic help, as Iranian officials mull how the city should be rebuilt.

Iran on Friday raised the death toll from the devastating earthquake to 41,000, with a close aide to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying the final figure could reach 45,000.

The city was once home to 100,000 residents.

TERRA.WIRE