France calls for ceasefire in Middle East

France submitted a draft resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to its 14 partners to the United Nations Security Council in coordination with Egypt and Jordan on Tuesday night, the Elysee reported.

During a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s Egyptian counterpart and – via video link – Jordanian monarch Abdullah II, “theThe three countries agreed on three simple elements: the fire must cease, it is time for a ceasefire and the UN Security Council must intervene.“, Clarified in a statement of the French presidency.

Paris thus decided to submit this draft decision, in coordination with its partners, is added to the text of Mr Macron’s services.

France, which has been calling for an immediate ceasefire for several days, says it supports Egypt’s mediation effort.. Mr Macron and his Egyptian counterpart, who are in Paris for a two-day visit to a meeting in support of African economies, discussed the issue at length on Monday and decided to seek Jordan’s support on Tuesday.

The French head of state also discussed with his Tunisian counterpart Kais Said, whose country is currently a non-permanent member of the SA.

The French draft declaration was submitted while the UN Security Council has been inactive for eight days, without even adopting a simple statement on the conflict, due to the objections raised by the USA, as they consider any such move counterproductive at this stage, according to with diplomatic sources.

During a closed-door meeting, “We have heard the proposal made by the French colleague in the Council and, as far as China is concerned, we certainly support all efforts to facilitate an end to the crisis and a return to peace in the Middle East.The Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Joon, whose country holds the presidency of the top United Nations body this month, told some reporters.

The Chinese ambassador clarified that the draft communication submitted by his country, Norway and Tunisia – rejected by the US for more than a week – also remains on the table of the SA.

At the end of 2017, a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem was submitted to the Security Council, following the recognition of the holy city as the capital of Israel by the former Republican President Donald Trump. The United States vetoed the bill, which was then put to a vote in the General Assembly, which, despite US threats, approved the text – largely symbolic – by a large majority.

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