The World - News from Dec. 9, 1987

France expelled to the West African state of Gabon 17 opponents of the Iranian regime in what appeared to be another step in a plan for restoring normal relations with the Islamic fundamentalists in Tehran and securing the release of French hostages in Lebanon. The Paris government denies having made any deal. Tehran arranged the release last month of two French hostages held in Lebanon. The French Interior Ministry said that 14 Iranians and three Turks, arrested in a roundup Monday of members of the Moujahedeen resistance, were expelled to the former French colony. It said eight other Iranians and another Turk were placed under house arrest.