Azerbaijan criticises French oil company

The environment ministry in Azerbaijan has accused the French oil company, Elf, of damaging one of the country's nature reserves during exploratory work.

The reserve, Kyzyl-Agaj, on the southern coast, is home to several rare species of birds, including pink flamingos.

Correspondents say the race to develop Azerbaijan's oil reserves has caused serious pollution and other environmental damage, but this is the first time that Azeri officials have complained about the activities of international oil companies.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service