France's Macron stresses importance of political solution to Mideast conflict

France to deliver medical aid by plane, support Gaza hospitals with ship, president announces

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – The president of France stressed Wednesday the importance of a political solution to the ongoing Mideast conflict.

The fight against terrorism, protection of civilians and a political solution to the problem are three pillars to follow, Emmanuel Macron said at a news conference in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Macron said France does not apply a double standard regarding victims of the conflict.

"The international law applies to everyone. France has always supported the universal values of humanism. All lives matter and there is no hierarchy. All victims deserve our compassion, our engagement in a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East," he said.

He said France would send medical material aboard a plane that will land in Egypt.

France will also soon dispatch one of its National Marine ships to support hospitals in Gaza, Macron added.

- Macron's Mideast tour

The French president postponed a visit to Sweden and went to Israel on Tuesday, where he met families of hostages who were taken by the Palestine resistance group Hamas, his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He then met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, and headed to Amman to meet Jordan's King Abdullah.

Following a meeting early Wednesday, Macron visited Cairo to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip with al-Sisi.

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