The French Embassy in Sofia has never taken sides in Bulgarian domestic issues, having acting only as a careful observer, according to new French ambassador Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes.

"I've been in Bulgaria for a month and a half; I am an observern, not a participant in political life; I try tu understand what is happening, but I cannot make assessments," said de Cabanes Thursday while on a visit to Plovdiv.

According to the French envoy, protests are nothing out of the ordinary in democratic countries.

"It is only normal that people can be dissatisfied by their government," added he, pointing out ongoing rallies in Brittany.

Lepeyre de Cabanes also stated that the fact that predecessor Philippe Autie met with anti-cabinet protesers over the summer does not mean that he or the French Embassy have made a point against the embattled cabinet of PM Plamen Oresharski.

Autie's action, together with a prior open letter co-authored with German ambassador Matthias Hoepfner, met the enthusiastic response of protesters and strong criticisms on the part of some Bulgarian politicians from the ruling coalition.

It was speculated that this occasioned Autie's not being decorated with a Bulgarian state distinction upon leaving - something denied by Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin.

New ambassador de Cabanes said that he on his part also had the chance to meet protesters and become acquainted with their demands.

He stressed that this action implies no taking sides in the conflict.

Lepeyre de Cabanes also declined to comment whether according to him police have used excessive forces during widely reported clashes in front of Parliament Tuesday.