Macron, Abbas Discuss Middle Eastern Peace Settlement Ahead Of UNGA - Elysee

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2018) French President Emmanuel Macron met Friday with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and discussed the situation around the Palestinian National Authority in anticipation of the UN General Assembly, the Elysee Palace said.

"The president of the [French] Republic confirmed France's complete involvement in the process to resume dialogue between the Palestinians and the Israelis and reaffirmed to Abbas France's commitment to mobilize on the diplomatic arena in order to change the situation," the statement issued by the Elysee Palace said.

According to the statement, the two leaders have also discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and the need to do everything possible to improve the humanitarian situation in the region.

"They have also discussed the current Egypt-mediated negotiations between the Palestinian authorities and Hamas in order to achieve intra-Palestinian reconciliation.

France supports these efforts and calls on President Abbas and Hamas to participate fully in them in order to enable the return of the Palestinian authorities to Gaza and the holding of election in the coming months," the statement read further.

The Elysee Palace added, at the same time, that at the meeting Macron stated his commitment to Israel's security, but condemned Israel's policy of colonization in the West Bank.

The long-existing tensions between Israel and Palestine have escalated since late March, when Palestinians launched weekly protest rallies at the border. France as an EU member state is actively engaged in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict settlement within the framework of the Quartet on the middle East, comprising the European Union, the United Nations, the United States and Russia.