France ready to work with new Palestinian unity government (Roundup)

Feb 24, 2007, 20:27 GMT

Paris - France is 'disposed' to cooperate with the new Palestinian government if it is formed according to the Mecca Agreement, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said after talks Saturday in Paris with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

'I told the Palestinian president that, if the government is formed on the basis of the platform of Mecca, France will be disposed to cooperate with him and that our country will also plead for this within the European Union and with other partners in the international community,' Douste-Blazy said.

The Mecca Agreement, signed February 8 by Abbas and Hamas politburo head Khaled Mashaal, calls for the formation of a Palestinian government of national unity including both Hamas and Abbas's Fatah movement.

The accord explicitly recognized all treaties and agreements signed by the Palestinian government with other nations, including with Israel.

As a result, said Douste-Blazy, 'this agreement initiates a process which should lead to the full recognition of Israel by all Palestinian factions, especially Hamas.'

For his part, Abbas told journalists in the French capital that the Palestinian unity government will likely be formed in the coming months and will constitute 'a political base that will enable us to begin working with the international community.'

Abbas said he was 'happy' that France was prepared to work with that government and would urge other countries to do likewise.

Earlier Saturday, Abbas met with French President Jacques Chirac and asked him for help in reviving the stalled Mideast peace process.

Abbas, who is on a tour of European capitals, met with Chirac at the Elysee Palace and told him, 'We will deal with the future of peace negotiations, and we hope for your support and backing.'

Chirac said it was now up to various parties to ensure the Mecca agreement is 'confirmed in reality.'

The French president reminded Abbas that the international community expected the Palestinians to live up to certain commitments, such as recognizing the state of Israel.

Abbas had earlier had travelled to Berlin, Brussels and London.