LOC18:42
15:42 GMT
PARIS, Oct 31 (KUNA) -- French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday
called for an "unconditional" resumption of peace talks between Israel and the
Palestinians.
Hollande's call came after talks in Paris with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, who blamed the deadlock in the peace process on the
Palestinian refusal to engage with Israel while Israel continues building
settlements.
Hollande said France was still committed to a two-state solution in the
Middle East but warned the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas against trying to
force the issue unilaterally.
He pointed out that there is the temptation of the Palestinian Authority to
seek at the UN General Assembly that which it fails to obtain through
negotiation, referring to Abbas's plans to seek enhanced "non-member observer
state" status at the UN for a Palestinian state.
"Only negotiation can lead to a definitive solution to the situation of
Palestine," Hollande insisted.
The two men also discussed the ongoing crisis in Syria and issues of common
concern. (end)
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KUNA 311842 Oct 12NNNN