French proposals aimed at ending Middle East predicament

The Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher met on Thursday with French Ambassador in Cairo Francois Dopffer on French ideas to end tensions in the region.

The ideas are worth examining and aimed at getting the region out of the crisis Israeli policy has created, said Maher.

The ideas point to the legitimacy of the Palestinian leadership and the importance of setting up a Palestinian state, he said, adding that the US, Jordan, Israel and Palestinian leader Arafat were briefed on these ideas.

He expressed belief that the ideas were a serious attempt to stress main principles, among which is the creation of a Palestinian state.

We know that France strongly supports Arab rights and that it is working with us on finding a just settlement in accordance with legitimacy principles, Maher said.

Asked whether these ideas will be raised during President Hosni Mubarak's talks with French President Jacques Chirac , Maher said of course these ideas will be under discussion from now and until the meeting.

France will brief Egypt on the reactions of various sides to the ideas, he added.

Whether he expects that these ideas will be favored by Israel, he said" I think the Israeli side does not welcome any serious attempt for reaching a settlement but the issue still under discussion between the French and the Israelis".

Maher hoped that the Israelis will realize that they cannot carry on with such a policy, which is jeopardizing their security and that of the Palestinians and the entire region.