France to recognise State of Palestine, Macron announces

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday announced that his country will recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. I will make the solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September. The urgency today is to end the war in Gaza and to provide aid to the civilian population. Peace is possible," Macron wrote on X.

"It is essential to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognizing Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East. There is no alternative," he added.

Macron said he wrote to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to outline his plans.