France might recognize Palestinian state

PARIS- France is now working with partners on a final diplomatic push to overcome the impasse between Israelis and Palestinians.

"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 December 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.

France was working at the United Nations to get a resolution adopted that would set a two year timeframe to reach a negotiated solution.