France “does not intend to answer favourably” to an invitation to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”, a source close to President Emmanuel Macron told AFP on Monday.
The board was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of war-torn Gaza, but the charter does not appear to limit its role to the occupied Palestinian territory.
Its charter “goes beyond the sole framework of Gaza”, the source close to the French president said.
“It raises major questions, particularly regarding respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations, which under no circumstances can be called into question,” they added.
France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Earlier Monday, its foreign ministry issued a statement reiterating France’s commitment to the UN.
“This remains the keystone of effective multilateralism, where international law, the sovereign equality of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes prevail over arbitrariness, power politics and war,” it said.
The ministry added it was reviewing the proposed legal framework of the board with its partners, raising concern that the “project extends beyond the situation in Gaza”.
The source close to the French president however noted that France “remains fully committed to a ceasefire in Gaza and to a credible political horizon for Palestinians and Israelis”.
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