"France is committed to extending continued cooperation to Pakistan in rebuilding the devastated areas," Chirac said in the conversation with Musharraf, an official at the President's Secretariat told AFP.

Chirac told Musharraf that a French delegation would attend the international donors' conference to be held in Islamabad on November 19 to raise funds for reconstruction of quake-hit areas.

The French president said he had also spoken to European Union leaders and global financial institutions, urging them to support Pakistan in its hour of need, the official said.

Musharraf thanked Chirac for the gesture.

"Pakistan is grateful to France for providing immediate relief and medical assistance and we look forward to continued support from all friendly countries," Musharraf said.

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Pakistan on October 8 killed more than 73,000 people, injured 69,000 and left more than three million homeless in Pakistan-ruled Kashmir and North Western Frontier Province.

Musharraf said Sunday that UN agencies, the World Bank and Pakistan have determined that the country needs 3.5 billion dollars for reconstruction, 1.5 billion dollars for relief and 100 million dollars for rehabilitation.

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