LOC10:17
07:17 GMT
PARIS, March 7 (KUNA) -- France and all Europe should take the initiative
to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, French President Nicolas Sarkozy
told French television in an interview.
Sarkozy also promised that if re-elected he would visit the Palestinian and
Israeli territories.
He regrets that Europe has not been more "determined," referring to the
stalled international attempts to revive the halted Palestinian-Israeli peace
process.
Both Palestinian and Israeli people have been living side-by-side for
years, they should understand each others' desire to create their own state,
and there is nothing more crucial than forcing them into constructive
dialogue, Sarkozy stressed. 2012 can be the year of peace in the Middle East
he added.
Due to the US presidential elections, Sarkozy doubts that the US would be
able to play its role as the main guarantor of the Middle East peace process,
yet his country will take the lead in such matter, he said.
First round of the French elections kicks off April 22, where the re-run is
scheduled for May. Polls predicted that recent Socialist candidate, Francois
Hollande, overtaking the outgoing President Sarkozy in the first round of
elections.(end)
amm.mao
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