French premier calls for resuming peace talks on the Syrian track

French Premier Lionel Jospin has asserted the importance of resuming peace negotiations on the Syrian track. In a speech he gave at the French National Assembly, the French Premier added, There is an urgent need to relaunch the Middle East peace process," noting his country's readiness to exert its efforts in this connection. He added that newly-elected Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak "will face a great challenge in establishing the peace not only with the Palestinians, but also with Syria and Lebanon."

Jospin added that relations between France and Israel will witness a new gearing up in the future after Barak takes power.