French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday urged developing countries to embrace nuclear energy and rich lenders to help pay for it, but stood firmly against countries that "cheat" and use the technology to make weapons. "We need nuclear energy" to meet global goals for fighting and slowing climate change, Sarkozy said in opening an international conference in Paris on the future of nuclear power. He wants France, which is reliant on atomic reactors for a large majority of its electricity, to lead a global nuclear expansion. But amid fears of nuclear proliferation and questions about Iran's nuclear program, Sarkozy said the international community should be "steadfast in its opposition to those countries that violate the standards for collective security." – Associated Press