France rejects unilateral decision of third country on Jerusalem status

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- French permanent representative to the United Nations Francois Delaware said on Monday that France rejects any unilateral decision of a third country on the status of Jerusalem.

Speaking to reporters before attending a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East focusing on U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Delattre said that "because of its unmatched symbolic and emotional dimension, Jerusalem is the key to peace between Palestinians and Israelis."

"Without an agreement on Jerusalem, there is no peace accord. That's why an agreement on Jerusalem can only be decided by the parties themselves with the support the community of nations, but not by the unilateral decision of a third country," the French ambassador said.

Commenting the draft resolution on Jerusalem proposed by Egypt, he said "the language of the resolution is in line with the previous Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem. What this resolution does is basically reaffirming the international consensus on Jerusalem based on international law and relevant Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem."

Delattre stressed that France will vote in favor the resolution, adding that it is "a good text."

"There is no other way to solve this conflict," he noted, adding that "there is no time to waste to get this solution."

The meeting comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity following the decision by U.S. administration on December 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Enditem