PARIS, December 22, 2005 (WAFA) - The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will double its contribution to the World Bank's fiduciary fund for the Palestinian Territories in 2005.

The Ministry said, in a press release issued Thursday, with this new contribution, France's total contribution to this fund stands at 5.5 million euros.

"The aim, for France, is to strengthen its support for the Palestinian Authority at a time when the Authority is facing major financial difficulties in an unstable political context," said the press release.

"In the context of the withdrawal from Gaza and the current electoral process in the Palestinian Territories, the international community must stand by the side of the Palestinian Authority more than ever to help it meet the considerable challenges it has to face," it added.

The Ministry recalled that payment of these sums to the Fund for the Palestinian Authority is coupled with stringent conditions regarding reform.

"We encourage the Palestinian Authority to do everything possible to respect the conditions to which it agreed itself and which alone will make international aid effective," the press release concluded.

A.D (23:25 P) (21:25 GMT)