NNA - Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas expressed on Monday appreciation to France's role in supporting peace in the Middle East and establishing an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.



Speaking during a joint press conference with his French counterpart Francois Hollande, currently in Ramallah, Abbas said that the Israeli settlement activities on the Palestinian territories as well as the settlers' aggressive practices, vandalism, attacks on holy sites and detaining thousands of prisoners caused the abortion of the peace process.



He emphasized the Palestinians' clinging to a comprehensive and just peace as a strategic option, and said that at the same time they will continue their efforts to find a political solution to ensure peace, security and stability in the region.



"This will lead to ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and establishing an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital," he said.


========================L.W.