France promises help to former colony.

I'm here to offer you the cooperation of France on a concrete basis," French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres told a City Hall news conference with Mayor Ray Nagin through a translator. "We would like New Orleans to be a world light post as it used to be."

De Vabres said France wanted to help rebuild the city's cultural life and would start by providing aid for New Orleans musicians who scattered after Katrina struck on Aug. 29.

Concerts are being organized across France to raise money for those affected by the storm and some will be offered temporary financial aid, he said.