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| Sarkozy addresses Israeli Knesset | |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy is addressing the Israeli parliament, where he is expected to repeat his call for Israelis to "take risks for peace." | |
| On Sunday he said the creation of a Palestinian state was in the best interests of Israel and its citizens. | On Sunday he said the creation of a Palestinian state was in the best interests of Israel and its citizens. |
| On the first French state visit to Israel in 12 years, he said a peace agreement would allow the two peoples to live in peace and security. | On the first French state visit to Israel in 12 years, he said a peace agreement would allow the two peoples to live in peace and security. |
| Mr Sarkozy is to hold separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. | Mr Sarkozy is to hold separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. |
| Meanwhile, Israel has slightly eased its blockade of Gaza, following a truce with Palestinian militant group Hamas. | Meanwhile, Israel has slightly eased its blockade of Gaza, following a truce with Palestinian militant group Hamas. |
| An Israeli spokesman said 90 truckloads of food and commercial goods were being allowed into Gaza via the Sufa crossing on Sunday. Normally about 60 trucks make the journey. | An Israeli spokesman said 90 truckloads of food and commercial goods were being allowed into Gaza via the Sufa crossing on Sunday. Normally about 60 trucks make the journey. |
| 'Agreement possible' | 'Agreement possible' |
| Correspondents say the French president's admiration for Israel is in contrast to his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who was widely seen as pro-Arab. | Correspondents say the French president's admiration for Israel is in contrast to his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who was widely seen as pro-Arab. |
| Mr Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was greeted on arrival at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres. | Mr Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was greeted on arrival at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres. |
| Speaking at the airport, Mr Sarkozy said: "I have always been and will always be a friend of Israel... | Speaking at the airport, Mr Sarkozy said: "I have always been and will always be a friend of Israel... |
| "An agreement is possible, tomorrow, and that agreement would allow the two peoples to live side-by-side in peace and security." | "An agreement is possible, tomorrow, and that agreement would allow the two peoples to live side-by-side in peace and security." |
| "I am more convinced than ever that the security of Israel will only be truly guaranteed with the birth of a second state, a Palestinian state." | "I am more convinced than ever that the security of Israel will only be truly guaranteed with the birth of a second state, a Palestinian state." |
| From the airport, France's first couple headed to Jerusalem for talks with Mr Peres, followed by dinner with Mr Olmert. | From the airport, France's first couple headed to Jerusalem for talks with Mr Peres, followed by dinner with Mr Olmert. |
| After addressing Israel's parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, he plans to travel to the West Bank town of Bethlehem for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday. | After addressing Israel's parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, he plans to travel to the West Bank town of Bethlehem for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday. |