French president urges sides to resume talks

French President Francois Hollande calls on Israel and the Palestinians to return to truce talks and for the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip in an interview with French daily Le Monde.

“We are at a critical point. France supports the Egyptian mediation,” Hollande says. “Gaza can no longer remain like it is. The objective must be a demilitarization and a lifting of the blockade.”

“Demilitarization can only be done under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority. France with Europe can be useful in lifting the blockade at the Rafah crossing. Gaza must neither be an open prison or a military base,” Hollande adds.

French President Francois Hollande outside the Foreign Affairs ministry in Paris, Saturday, July 26, 2014, after meeting families of the victims of Air Algeria flight crash, that killed all 118 people onboard including 54 French citizens. (photo credit: AP/Philippe Wojazer, Pool)

French President Francois Hollande outside the Foreign Affairs ministry in Paris, Saturday, July 26, 2014 (photo credit: AP/Philippe Wojazer, Pool)