RAMALLAH, January 5, 2009 (WAFA)- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met, Monday, in the Presidency Headquarters in Ramallah, with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg.

In a press conference held, Monday, at the Palestinian Presidency headquarters in Ramallah, President Abbas demanded an immediate unconditional end to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, after which he was ready to discuss “all other issues, including

The President added that there is a “humanitarian catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip, stressing that humanitarian aid must be delivered to the 1.5 million Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip, who are left without water, electricity, medicine or food.

He affirmed that he would head to New York, where he will work on issuing a UN Security Council resolution to immediately end the aggression on Gaza. He also reminded that the only way to end the conflict was the end of the occupation, according to the international legitimacy.

On his side, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy affirmed his confidence in President Abbas, saying that he was a man of peace, moderation and dialogue, and reiterating the European Union’s support for him.

He reiterated the European Enion’s condemnation of the Israeli ground offensive on the Gaza Strip and said that France wants an immediate ceasefire, to end the “dramatic” humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Finally, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg said that all must work for peace in the Middle East.

The meeting and press conference were attended by the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero, and the European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana.