This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7468874.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Sarkozy addresses Israeli Knesset Sarkozy urges settlement freeze
(40 minutes later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is addressing the Israeli parliament, where he is expected to repeat his call for Israelis to "take risks for peace." French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for an end to Jewish settlement construction on Palestinian land, in an address to Israeli MPs.
On Sunday he said the creation of a Palestinian state was in the best interests of Israel and its citizens. He told the Israeli Knesset this was key to any hopes for a lasting peace in the Middle East.
On the first French state visit to Israel in 12 years, he said a peace agreement would allow the two peoples to live in peace and security.On the first French state visit to Israel in 12 years, he said a peace agreement would allow the two peoples to live in peace and security.
Mr Sarkozy is to hold separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Mr Sarkozy also told MPs that France would not accept a nuclear-armed Iran.
Meanwhile, Israel has slightly eased its blockade of Gaza, following a truce with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Earlier on Monday the French president and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, where he rekindled the eternal flame.
An Israeli spokesman said 90 truckloads of food and commercial goods were being allowed into Gaza via the Sufa crossing on Sunday. Normally about 60 trucks make the journey. Mr Sarkozy has met Israeli leaders and is due to go on to hold talks with Palestinian leaders.
'Agreement possible''Agreement possible'
Correspondents say the French president's admiration for Israel is in contrast to his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who was widely seen as pro-Arab.Correspondents say the French president's admiration for Israel is in contrast to his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who was widely seen as pro-Arab.
Mr Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was greeted on arrival at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres. Mr Sarkozy was greeted on his arrival at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres.
Speaking at the airport, Mr Sarkozy said: "I have always been and will always be a friend of Israel...Speaking at the airport, Mr Sarkozy said: "I have always been and will always be a friend of Israel...
"An agreement is possible, tomorrow, and that agreement would allow the two peoples to live side-by-side in peace and security.""An agreement is possible, tomorrow, and that agreement would allow the two peoples to live side-by-side in peace and security."
"I am more convinced than ever that the security of Israel will only be truly guaranteed with the birth of a second state, a Palestinian state.""I am more convinced than ever that the security of Israel will only be truly guaranteed with the birth of a second state, a Palestinian state."
From the airport, France's first couple headed to Jerusalem for talks with Mr Peres, followed by dinner with Mr Olmert.From the airport, France's first couple headed to Jerusalem for talks with Mr Peres, followed by dinner with Mr Olmert.
After addressing Israel's parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, he plans to travel to the West Bank town of Bethlehem for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday. After addressing the Knesset, Mr Sarkozy plans to travel to the West Bank town of Bethlehem for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.