Hollande urges Palestinians, Israelis to make courageous choice for peace

French President Francois Hollande urged Israelis and Palestinians to make a "courageous choice for peace", adding that the solution had to involve the "whole region".

In his opening speech of the Paris Mideast peace summit, Hollande said "the discussion on the conditions for peace between Israelis and Palestinians must take into account the entire region," Hollande said.

"The threats and priorities have changed. The changes make it even more urgent to find a solution to the conflict, and this regional upheaval creates new obligations for peace. We must prove it to the international community," he said.

He noted that if the peace process fails, "the vacuum will inevitably be filled by extremists."

Representatives from more than 20 countries, including Egypt, take part in the meeting that is aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process.

Attending also are Arab League Secretary-General Nabil el Araby and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

Earlier, the French presidency said the meeting would help re-set the Palestinian-Israeli issue on the international agenda. It would be an opportunity to participants to reaffirm their commitment to the two-state solution in the Middle East and help resume direct talks between both parties, it added.

Source ; MENA