Referendum 'hardly conceivable' right now: Pauline Marois

Quebec Premier Pauline Maroistold a radio networkin France Tuesday that a referendum on sovereignty is hardly conceivable right now.

She told listeners that her Parti Qubcoisgovernment holds minority status in the National Assembly and faces two federalist opposition parties.

Marois also stressed that Quebec will continue to defend its interests.

The newly-elected PQ premier met with French President Francois Hollande Mondayand is scheduled to meetwith Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault Tuesday.

During their conversation Monday, Hollande said France would return to its traditionally neutral policy on Quebec independence.

That policy, which was introduced in France in the 1970s, had been temporarily interrupted under the pro-Canadian-unity era of Nicolas Sarkozy.