France is looking at the possibility of sending a European Union mission to help improve security in the Palestinian territories, diplomats said on Friday before a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers.
The European Union already helps monitor the Rafah crossing point between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, and provides mentoring and equipment for the Palestinian police.
"It is one idea the French (EU) Presidency is considering, backing Palestinian security forces there, because there is a lack of trust with Israel, it's the main problem," one EU diplomat said.
"The idea of an international force in the Palestinian) territories) and not only in Gaza is in the air for the medium or long term, in the framework of a resolution (of the conflict,)"),Another EU envoy said.
Diplomats said there were no concrete proposals on the table as to the mandate for any EU mission but said the idea could be studied by EU foreign ministers meeting on Saturday in the southern French city of Avignon.
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