FRANCE, SAUDI ARABIA TO CO-HOST CONFERENCE ON 2-STATE SOLUTION IN COMING MONTHS

ISTANBUL, April 7 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that France will co-host an international conference in the coming months with Saudi Arabia, aimed at advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

“We will act, looking towards an international conference for the two-state solution, which France will co-host with Saudi Arabia,” Macron said in a press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Macron said the initiative will be prepared in close coordination with regional partners, including Cairo.

He emphasised the need for a political solution to ensure long-term stability in the region.

“But we have the deep conviction that it is indeed only the political response that will ensure stability and security in Gaza and throughout the region, and it is in this spirit that we will act," he added.

Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Macron noted: “We condemn the resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza, which constitute a dramatic setback for the civilian population, the hostages, their families, and the entire region. We call for an immediate return to the ceasefire and the release of all hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.”

"We firmly oppose the displacement of populations and any annexation of Gaza and the West Bank," he added.

"It would be a violation of international law and a serious threat to the security of the entire region, including that of Israel,” he further added.

He also voiced support for the reconstruction of Gaza.

"I reiterate my support for the reconstruction plan for Gaza endorsed by the Arab League on March 4, and I salute here the crucial work of Egypt on this plan, which offers a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and must also open the way to new Palestinian governance in the enclave led by the Palestinian Authority," he stressed.

Sisi, for his part, reiterated his rejection of Palestinian displacement from their land.

“President Macron and I discussed the tragic situation in Gaza and stressed the urgent need to return to a ceasefire, to allow for the immediate entry of humanitarian aid, and to ensure the release of hostages,” he said.

The Egyptian leader said he reviewed with Macron an Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction and agreed to coordinate joint efforts regarding a Gaza reconstruction conference to be hosted by Egypt as soon as hostilities in Gaza cease.

“Achieving stability and lasting peace in the Middle East will remain out of reach as long as the Palestinian issue is unresolved and the Palestinian people continue to suffer the horrors of devastating wars,” he said.

Sisi said Macron’s visit “clearly embodies a long-standing path of fruitful bilateral cooperation between Egypt and France across all fields that serve the interests of both friendly countries.”

“This journey of cooperation has been crowned by the announcement of elevating relations to the level of a strategic partnership – an important step towards strengthening joint collaboration and opening new horizons that meet the interests and aspirations of our two friendly peoples,” he said.

“We agreed with the French President on the importance of implementing all components of our new strategic partnership, including mutual support for international candidacies, and boosting opportunities for cooperation in fields such as localising the railway industry, technical and vocational training, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the production of green hydrogen.”

Macron arrived in Cairo on Sunday for a three-day visit to Egypt for talks with Egyptian officials on bilateral ties and regional developments. His trip began with a tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum in western Cairo and a walk through its historic streets, especially the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

A trilateral summit to discuss the situation in Gaza is scheduled for Monday between Sisi, Macron, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

The summit comes as the Israeli army escalated its attacks on the Palestinian territory, where more than 1,300 people have been killed and 3,400 others injured in airstrikes since March 18, despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

More than 50,700 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU