Arab News

RIYADH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts which contributed to a historic French commitment to recognizing Palestine as a state. 

The French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement on Thursday.

“This solution is the only path that can address the legitimate aspirations of both the Israelis and the Palestinians. It must now be brought about as quickly as possible,” said Macron in a letter to Abbas.

“The prospect of a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Middle East seems increasingly distant. I cannot resign myself to that,” he said.

The Palestinian leader said the French move represented a victory for his people and urged other countries to take a similar stance to support a two-state solution to the decades long conflict.

The Kingdom has long been a backer of Palestinian statehood and has repeatedly condemned Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

More than 140 countries already recognize Palestine as a state. Macron has said France will formally declare the recognition at the UN General Assembly in September.