Do you have any reaction to the announcement of Mahmoud Abbas’s retirement?
We have taken note of Mahmoud Abbas’s intention not to run in the elections that he called two weeks ago for January 24, 2010. France has continuously supported Mahmoud Abbas since his democratic election in 2005. It continues to support his initiatives aimed at achieving peace and reform of the Palestinian Authority, as demonstrated by Mr. Abbas’s recent visit to France on September 4. France reaffirms its support for the organization of free and democratic general elections in 2010 throughout the Palestinian Territory, the West Bank, Gaza and in East Jerusalem. Madagascar The negotiations in Madagascar are deadlocked. What is France’s reaction? Does Paris see a way out of the current deadlock? France’s position today is to urge, encourage all of the Madagascan political stakeholders to make national interest a permanent priority. A success in Addis Ababa would be a victory for the spirit of tolerance and openness. It would signify Madagascar’s return to the international stage. It wo
