Sarkozy, Abbas urge rapid renewal of Mideast peace talks

From Haaretz
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, called Monday for the rapid resumption of negotiations that will lead to a Palestinian state.

Following a meeting of the two leaders in Paris, Sarkozy said that he would work for the creation of "a modern, viable Palestinian state" which, like Israel, would have Jerusalem as its capital and which would be drawn up according to the borders of 1967.

In addition, any solution to the Mideast crisis must also include a discussion on the fate of the Palestinian refugees, the French president said.

The created Palestinian state must be "modern, viable, democratic," Sarkozy added.