France is asking countries in the Middle East to support Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat in fighting terrorism, Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said Thursday.
"We ask countries in the region, neighboring countries, to support Yasser Arafat in the struggle against terrorism," said Vedrine during a news conference at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers here.
The appeal came after French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin on Wednesday urged Israel to resist the "lure" of destabilising Arafat, arguing that the Palestinian leader was the designated partner to advance peace prospects in the region.
"We reiterate that if we want the Palestinian Authority to be able to wage an effective fight, its capabilities must be strenghtened rather than diminished on a practical and political level," Jospin said.
Vedrine reiterated France's demand that Arafat "do everything in his power to fight terrorism".
Israel gave Arafat 24 hours to round up top Islamic militants seen as heroes by his people, or face renewed bombing that could destroy his self-rule administration – Brussels (AFP)
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