France says Palestinian unity deal is first step

PARIS, Feb 25 (Reuters) France today told Egypt and Saudia Arabia on Sunday that an agreement to form a Palestinian unity government was a first step towards meeting international demands for renouncing violence and recognising Israel.

French President Jacques Chirac telephoned Saudi King Abdullah and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to reaffirm France's support for the Mecca agreement between rival Palestinian factions, Chirac's spokesman said.

The deal two weeks ago is ''a first step towards applying the conditions of the Quartet'' of West Asia mediators, spokesman Jerome Bonnafont quoted Chirac as telling the two leaders.

The phone calls followed a meeting between the French leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris yesterday.

The Quartet of West Asia peace negotiators comprises the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations.

France was among the first Western governments to express support for the Palestinian unity deal, which calls on Fatah and Hamas to end factional violence and form a coalition.

But the United States is sceptical over the agreement, which falls short of what the Quartet wants.

It contains a vague promise to ''respect'' Israeli-Palestinian pacts, but does not commit the incoming government to abiding by those pacts, nor to recognising Israel and renouncing violence as the Quartet has demanded.

Washington wants to shun the new government to keep pressure on Hamas, which it views as a terrorist group. Russia and some European states favour a softer line.

France told Abbas yesterday it would be ''disposed to co-operate'' with the planned government involving Fatah and Hamas and seek support for it from other Western powers.

But Abbas, ending a European tour in Paris, received no clear indications the EU would end a blockade that has caused economic hardship in the Palestinian territories. The sanctions were imposed to induce the militant Hamas group to recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept interim peace deals.

REUTERS SBA RN0057