CAIRO, November 19, 2011 (WAFA) – On the eve of a meeting between President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mishaal in Cairo, France expressed support for Palestinian reconciliation, the Egyptian Middle East News Agency reported late Friday.

It quoted French foreign ministry spokesman, Bernard Valero, as saying that his country always encourages unity between the Palestinians and cooperation among them.

He said France constantly encourages Palestinians to be united, stressing that reconciliation in the interest of the Palestinian people.

Several Western countries, including some European and the United States, oppose reconciliation with Hamas before the latter accepts the peace agreements with Israel, renounce all forms of violence, including armed resistance, and recognizes Israel.

France’s position regarding the Palestinian conflict with Israel is seen as more balanced than many other Western countries. It has voted in favor of Palestinian membership in UNESCO, but said it would abstain when the United Nations Security Council votes on Palestine’s full membership in the UN.

The Palestinians applied on September 23 for full membership. The US said it will veto it when it comes up to a vote.

M.H./M.S.