France to back Palestinian UN status

France said on Tuesday it would vote in favor of Palestinian non-member status at the United Nations.   

"This Thursday or Friday, when the question is asked, France will vote yes," Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced in the lower house of parliament.

The Islamist group Hamas had said on Monday it was backing President Mahmoud Abbas's attempt to win more clout for Palestinians at the United Nations, the latest sign of a rapprochement between the political rivals.   

The Palestinians are registered as an observer entity at the U.N. and Abbas wants to see them upgraded to a "non-member state" in a U.N. General Assembly vote on Nov. 29, giving him access to other international organizations.   

The decision by Hamas was unexpected. It does not recognize Israel's right to exist and has dismissed previous attempts by Abbas to promote the Palestinian cause on the diplomatic stage.   

Abbas holds sway in the occupied West Bank. Hamas governs the Gaza Strip and has just fought a fierce, eight-day conflict with Israel.   

After more than five years of deep divisions, the two main political forces in the Palestinian territories have shown signs this past week they were ready to resume unity talks -- driven closer together by the Israeli assault on Gaza.


REUTERS