LE DRIAN AND HIS COUNTERPARTS TRIED TO STOP VIOENCE IN ISRAEL PALESTINE

USPA NEWS - Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke by telephone Sunday evening May 16 with Mr. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, and received this Monday May 17 Mr. Sameh Choukry, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, for discussions mainly devoted to the situation in the Middle East. The Minister and his counterparts shared their deep concerns about the ongoing escalation, its already heavy human toll among the civilian populations, and the risks associated with the worsening of the conflict, its extension in the Territories. Palestinians and Israel, and its regional repercussions. The minister discussed with his counterparts the means to strengthen their coordination to contribute to an end to the violence. Jean-Yves Le Drian underlined the need for a rapid cessation of hostilities. He expressed his determination to continue working in this direction with our American, Arab and European partners, as well as at the United Nations Security Council. He praised Egypt's mediation efforts to achieve a return to calm. Source: French ministry fo Foreign Affairs

J.YVES LE DRIAN FRENCH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKE WITH US SEC BLINKEN & SAMEH CHOUKRY EGYPTIAN COUNTERPARTS OVER ISRAELO-PALESTINAIN CONFLICT--------------------------------------- Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke by telephone Sunday evening May 16 with Mr. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, and received this Monday May 17 Mr. Sameh Choukry, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, for discussions mainly devoted to the situation in the Middle East. The Minister and his counterparts shared their deep concerns about the ongoing escalation, its already heavy human toll among the civilian populations, and the risks associated with the worsening of the conflict, its extension in the Territories. Palestinians and Israel, and its regional repercussions. The minister discussed with his counterparts the means to strengthen their coordination to contribute to an end to the violence. Jean-Yves Le Drian underlined the need for a rapid cessation of hostilities. He expressed his determination to continue working in this direction with our American, Arab and European partners, as well as at the United Nations Security Council. He praised Egypt's mediation efforts to achieve a return to the ceasefire, with which the steps taken by France are fully coordinated, in the context of President Sisi's ongoing visit to Paris. He condemned in the strongest terms the shootings carried out on population centers in Israeli territory and claimed, in particular, by Hamas. He recalled that the response to these unacceptable attacks must remain proportionate, within the framework of international law. He also recalled that the safety of journalists and all those whose expression contributes to free information and public debate, as well as their protection in times of conflict, is an essential responsibility. Jean-Yves Le Drian also underlined that all the actors on the ground must show restraint, avoid any provocation and work to stop the violence, especially in the West Bank. He called for the continuation of appeasement measures in Jerusalem, recalling our attachment to the status quo of 1967 on the Holy Places and our firm opposition to colonization in all its forms, in particular the evictions in the district of Sheikh Jarrah. He reaffirmed France's desire to contribute to a return to calm in Israel and the Palestinian territories in conjunction with local, regional and international actors, as well as to act in the competent international forums, in particular the Security Council. and the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, which will meet tomorrow. » Source: French Foreign Affairs Ministry