Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in Paris yesterday that
he is seeking France's "support" and "backing" to restart the
Middle East peace process.
"We are going to take up the future of the peace negotiations in
order to translate the principles of Israeli and Palestinian people
into reality, and we are looking forward to your support and
backing," Abbas told press at the French presidential palace
Elysee, before beginning talks with President Jacques Chirac.
The Palestinian leader affirmed his commitment to a solution
between the two states, resolutions of international legality,
agreements that have been signed and the refusal of terrorism and
violence.
Abbas described the French president as "a great head of state"
and "a great friend whom we respect very much."
The agreement reached on February 8 in Mecca between Abbas and
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, allowing for the formation of a
Palestinian coalition government.
The agreement should be carried out "in reality and through
acts," Chirac said, adding that "recognition of the Palestinian
Liberation Organization (PLO) is important" considering the
concerns of the international community.
Abbas, who is on a European visit, has already been to Britain,
Belgium and Germany.
It is Abbas' third visit to France since he was elected
Palestinian president in January 2005.
(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2007)
