France says Mideast peace process must relaunch
French President Francois Hollande (left) greets his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas before a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris June 8, 2012. — Reuters picPARIS, June 8 — French President Francois Hollande said today everything must be done to relaunch a long-stalled Middle East peace process that could lead to the recognition of a Palestinian state.
“Today, we must do everything to facilitate the recognition of a Palestinian state via a negotiated process,” Hollande told a news conference following a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris.
“I affirm this before President Abbas: dialogue must start again and the sooner the better,” Hollande, flanked by Abbas, said. — Reuters
