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Fabius: France to recognize Palestinian state if peace efforts fail

PARIS - France said on Friday it was working with partners on a "final" diplomatic push to overcome the impasse between Israelis and Palestinians, including by setting a two-year timeframe to end the conflict through a UN-backed resolution.
"If this final effort to reach a negotiated solution fails, then France will have to do what it takes by recognizing without delay the Palestinian state," Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told parliament.
Lawmakers are set to hold a symbolic parliamentary vote on Dec. 2 on whether the French government should recognize Palestine as a state, a move that Israeli Prime Minister has called a "grave mistake." The vote has raised domestic political pressure for the government to be more active on the issue.