TOYAKO, July 6, 2008 (AFP) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in remarks published Monday that leaders of the Group of Eight rich nations should lift export restrictions to ease a global food crisis.

Sarkozy told Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper in an interview published ahead of his arrival for Monday's G8 summit in Hokkaido that he backed the move to give the most needy countries access to the surplus food of rich nations.

'I hope that these export restrictions on food will be lifted,' he said.

'I note with interest that several countries, including Russia, have recently made announcements on the subject.

'I think the G8 will call on states that have not yet done so to adopt this course of action,' he said.

The Yomiuri had earlier quoted Japanese government sources as saying that the G8 powers plan to create a food crisis task force that would look into the possibility of lifting certain restrictions on exports.

Sarkozy said the global food crisis, that has triggered worldwide protests and even riots in Egypt and Haiti, was a major challenge for the world.

'In the 21st century, we should be able to feed the planet,' he said, adding that following an 'urgent' response to the soaring food price rises, the world should also look for medium and long-term solutions.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in an interview published Sunday that the G8 nations will take 'a vast catalogue of measures' to fight the crisis and provide short-term relief and a long-term strategy.