**French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has urged Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to reconsider his decision not to stand for re-election.**After meeting Mr Abbas, Mr Kouchner said he was “indispensable” in resuming peace talks with Israel.
Mr Kouchner is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to push forward stalled peace talks.
Israel has been criticised by the US and UN for approving more Jewish settlements in occupied territory.
The approval of 900 extra housing units at a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem would hamper Israeli-Palestinian talks, the White House and the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, both said.
‘Viable Palestinian state’
The Palestinians say they will not resume peace talks unless Israel freezes construction of Jewish settlements.
Mr Kouchner said he wanted to offer France’s support to Mr Abbas, who has said he does not want to stand for re-election next year because of the stalemate.
Speaking in Jordan before heading to Israel, Mr Kouchner said Mr Abbas had an important role to play in the Middle East peace process.
"[We] must say all together to the president of the Palestinian Authority, how much he is useful and indispensable and without him nothing is possible.
“We must go forward, the solution which everybody knows that is a must, to have a viable Palestinian state, democratic, to live side by side with the state of Israel which would ensure its security.”
A spokesman for Mr Abbas said the meeting focused on French ideas to resume peace talks.
Public objections
Israel’s interior ministry approved planning applications for housing units in Gilo, built on land captured in 1967.
With the project yet to be reviewed, the public can still make objections.
Settlements on occupied territory are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
It is the second time in two months that the Obama administration has spoken out on settlements.
In September the White House said it regretted reports that Israel planned to approve new construction in the West Bank.