France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has warned Israel and the Palestinians that the stalemate in peace talks risks reigniting conflict in the Middle East.
Mr Fabius made the comments after a two-day visit to the Middle East, where he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Mr Netanyahu has quickly criticised the remarks, accusing foreign powers of trying to dictate terms to Israel for a deal with the Palestinians.
Peggy Giakoumelos reports.
Laurent Fabius wants the Middle East peace process re-launched through an international support group that includes Arab States, the European Union, and U-N Security Council members.
Speaking to the media with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Fabius stressed the importance of a United Nations Security Council resolution - with France as the proposer - to set a framework for negotiations.
Mr Fabius warns there would be consequences if talks don't resume between the two groups.
"Many people are worried, President Sisi, the king of Jordan, the Palestinians and the Israeli people. We also are worried because of what is happening in the world and because terrorists are all connected, that's the reality and if we are not able to solve what is commonly called the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we are at risk of an explosion of violence."
The French Foreign Minister says the aim is not for foreign powers to intervene directly between Israel and the Palestinians.
But Israel's Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, immediately criticised the French-led initiative.
"I find it frankly inconceivable that while the Palestinians expect us to recognise a Palestinian nation-state, they refuse to accord us the same privilege, recognising a Jewish nation state. And if they continue to refuse to recognise the legitimacy of the Jewish state, what kind of peace are they offering us?"
Mr Fabius also met his counterpart in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki voiced his support for the French initiative.
"The initiative of Minister Fabius is an important initiative. We support these efforts and hope that it succeeds. For this effort to succeed, this will need huge efforts not only from the French side but also from all the sides, with full cooperation, will and commitment from everyone, including participant countries."
France has so far been working with Arab states on a possible U-N Security Council resolution setting negotiating parameters and establishing a timeframe, possibly 18 months, to complete talks.
In December, the United States voted against a Palestinian-drafted resolution calling for an Israeli withdrawal from the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and the establishment of a Palestinian state by late 2017.
But this month, US President Barack Obama said the absence of a peace process, and the conditions raised by Mr Netanyahu for Palestinian statehood, make it hard for Washington to continue to defend Israel at the United Nations.
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