Sarkozy: PA unity doesn't negate need to recognize Israel

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday expressed his support of US President Barack Obama's stance vis-à-vis the Middle East and the urgent need to resume negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, calling the American president's speech a courageous step.

During a press conference at margins of the G8 Group of Eight Summit in Deauville, the French president said that the establishment of a Palestinian unity government does not negate the need for Palestinians to recognize Israel and its right to exist.

Obama, Medvedev and Sarkozy (Photo: EPA)

Sarkozy noted that French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe will travel next week to the Middle East in an effort to accelerate the resumption of the peace process.

Commenting on the unity pact between Fatah and Hamas, the French president said that it would be a contradiction to say that we are willing to talk to a divided Palestinian leadership, but not to a united one.

He said peace is attainable, adding that France is opposed to a continuation of the status quo.

Sarkozy also addressed the recent popular uprisings in the Middle East, saying it was an important turning point for the region.

Referring to Iran, the French leader said that authorities in Tehran mustn't think that recent developments in the region made the world forgot about the awful oppression that is taking place in the Islamic Republic.

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