Kouchner says Abbas 'indispensable' to peace

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (photo) called for the creation of a democratic Palestinian state on Tuesday during a visit to Jordan and said that Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is "indispensable" for the Middle East peace process.

AFP - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Tuesday in Jordan that Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is "indispensable" for the Middle East peace process.
  
"We want to stress that president Abbas is indispensable and the peace process can't go without him," Kouchner told a news conference in Amman with senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, after a meeting with Abbas.
  
"I came to offer France's support for president Abbas and to say we are determined to go ahead with the peace process."
  
Kouchner, who will travel to Israel on Wednesday, called for the creation of a democratic Palestinian state.
  
"Peace talks should continue, leading to the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state that lives in peace with Israel, while ensuring Israel's security," he said.
  
Erekat said he and Kouchner denounced Israel's approval of the construction of 900 new units in annexed Arab east Jerusalem on Tuesday.
  
"I asked Mr Kouchner to press Israel to stop the settlements and resume peace negotiations," he told reporters.
  
Earlier in the day, Kouchner held talks with Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi on the Middle East peace process, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Date created : 2009-11-18