Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, July 19, 2014
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, July 19, 2014
French FM calls for ‘urgent’ ceasefire in Gaza
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius calls for an “urgent” truce in Gaza and renewed support for an Egyptian initiative accepted by Israel but spurned by its Hamas foes.
Fabius issues the call at a Cairo press conference after talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who is rallying international support for Cairo’s ceasefire proposal.
“The ceasefire is an urgent imperative,” says Fabius, saying the French government “fully” backs Egypt’s proposal.
“The absolute priority is a ceasefire, but it must guarantee a lasting truce,” he says, adding that it should take into account “Israel’s security” and Palestinian demands.
— AFP
