The Var, a French command and replenishment ship and the flagship of the Joint Commander French Indian Ocean's Maritime Area, has been in Hong Kong for an eight- day port call since Tuesday.

It was the third visit by the Var in Hong Kong since June 2007.

The Var arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday and plans to leave on June 3, Vice Admiral Gerard Valin, Joint Forces Commander Indian Ocean, told a press conference on the ship on Wednesday.

Valin said he had met officials of the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to have friendly talks.

"Hong Kong is an interesting place for the crew members," Valin said, adding that he had ordered for the ship to call in Hong Kong once a year since 2007.

One of the four replenishment and command ships of the French Navy, the Var can provide logistics support to overseas deployed warships and planes. It also carries an important command task with Vice Admiral Gerard Valin in charge.

It can carry some 160 crew members and up to 70 command staff members.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2009)