<br>        Inclusion Criteria:<br><br>          -  Male or female patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years.<br><br>          -  Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes as defined by WHO criteria for at least 2 months but no<br>             longer than 3 years.<br><br>          -  Type 2 diabetes not previously treated by a pharmacological agent.<br><br>        Note:<br><br>          -  a) insulin use is accepted if it is not within 6 months prior to screening visit and<br>             only for the following reasons:<br><br>               -  prior use for management of gestational diabetes,<br><br>               -  short-term (less than or equal to 1 month) use to maintain glycemic control for<br>                  hospitalization, medical procedures, or intervention.<br><br>          -  b) use of an oral antidiabetic agent is accepted if it is not within 6 months prior<br>             to screening visit and only if it was prescribed for no more than 4 months.<br><br>          -  HbA1C greater than or equal to 7% and less than or equal to 10%.<br><br>          -  Having signed the informed consent form.<br><br>        Exclusion Criteria:<br><br>        General:<br><br>          -  Weight loss > 5 kg within 3 months prior to screening visit.<br><br>          -  Pregnancy or lactation.<br><br>          -  Absence of medically approved contraceptive methods for females of childbearing<br>             potential.<br><br>          -  Marijuana or hashish users.<br><br>          -  Administration of other investigational drugs within 30 days prior to screening<br>             visit.<br><br>          -  Previous participation in a rimonabant study.<br><br>          -  Presence or history of allergic reaction or intolerance to multiple drugs.<br><br>          -  Presence of any other condition (e.g., geographic, social) that the Investigator<br>             feels that would restrict or limit the patient's participation for the duration of<br>             the study.<br><br>        Related to endocrine and metabolic disorders:<br><br>          -  Presence of any clinically significant endocrine disease according to the<br>             Investigator.<br><br>        Note: euthyroid patients on replacement therapy will be included if the dosage of<br>        thyroxine is stable for at least 3 months prior to screening visit.<br><br>          -  Fasting C-peptide < 1.0 ng/mL.<br><br>        Related to other disorders:<br><br>          -  Presence of any severe medical or psychological condition that in the opinion of the<br>             Investigator would compromise the patient's safety or successful participation in the<br>             study.<br><br>          -  Presence or history of cancer within the past five years with the exception of<br>             adequately treated localized basal cell skin cancer or in situ uterine cervical<br>             cancer.<br><br>        Related to laboratory findings:<br><br>          -  Positive test for hepatitis B surface antigen and/or hepatitis C antibody.<br><br>          -  Abnormal TSH level (TSH > ULN or < LLN).<br><br>          -  Hemoglobin < 11 g/dL and/or neutrophils < 1,500/mm3 and/or platelets < 100,000/mm3.<br><br>          -  Positive urine pregnancy test.<br><br>          -  Positive urine test for marijuana or hashish metabolites.<br><br>        Related to previous or concomitant medications:<br><br>          -  Oral antidiabetic agent except if it is not within 6 months prior to screening visit<br>             and only if it was prescribed for no more than 4 months.<br><br>          -  Insulin except if it is not within 6 months prior to screening visit and only for<br>             management of gestational diabetes or short-term use to maintain glycemic control for<br>             hospitalization, medical procedures, or intervention.<br><br>          -  Drugs affecting weight (e.g., sibutramine, orlistat, herbal preparations, etc).<br>