Chirac vows to support coalition Palestinian government

French President Jacques Chirac on Saturday vowed to support a coalition Palestinian government and persuade the European Union to move in that direction.

Chirac offered the pledge during his talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was on a four-nation tour of Britain, Belgium, Germany and France.

According to the French presidential palace Elysee, Chirac was looking forward to the formation of a coalition Palestinian government on the basis of the Feb. 8 Mecca agreement, thus opening prospects for cooperation with the EU.

The agreement should be carried out "in reality and through acts," Chirac said, adding that "recognition of the Palestinian Liberation Organization is important" considering the concerns of the international community.

The French president also said that he would take the issue to the EU summit meeting set for next month.

On Wednesday, the French Foreign Ministry said Paris welcomes the agreement reached by the two Palestinian rival movements Hamas and Fatah in the Saudi holy city of Mecca to form a government of national unity to replace the Hamas-led one.

After his arrival in Paris, Abbas said on Saturday that he was seeking France's "support" and "backing" to restart the Middle East peace process.

He indicated that the coalition government might be formed next month to set up the foundation for cooperation with the international community.

The Palestinian leader affirmed his commitment to finding a solution to the dispute with Israel and his opposition to terrorism and violence. He also said he was committed to resolving questions of international legality and to agreements which have been signed.

"We are going to take up the future of the peace negotiations in order to translate the principles of Israeli and Palestinian people into reality, and we are looking forward to your support and backing," Abbas told reporters before talks with Chirac.

Source: Xinhua