in the event of failure of the American draft resolution at the UN, Stéphane Séjourné ready to defend a French text

According to information from franceinfo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is preparing to return to Egypt this weekend.

In the event of failure of the United States’ resolution at the UN for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, France prepares its own resolution, and Stéphane Séjourné stands ready to defend it. The Minister of Foreign Affairs plans to go to Egypt on the weekend of March 23-24 to plead for this French solution, according to franceinfo information from a highly placed diplomatic source.

Washington has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council, calling for a “immediate ceasefire linked to the release of the hostages” in the Gaza Strip. For the first time, the American Secretary of State spoke publicly on Wednesday about Washington’s negotiations at the UN. On several occasions in recent months, the Americans have vetoed resolutions calling for immediate ceasefires between the two parties. The United States is nevertheless hoping for a quick vote, perhaps as early as Friday. But their project is considered a little weak, Paris is therefore preparing its own initiative.

The head of French diplomacy already in contact with his counterparts

Paris anticipates a veto on the United States text. If this is the case, the head of French diplomacy will have the mission of obtaining the goodwill of Arab countries on the French draft resolution, but also the neutrality of the United States. For a draft resolution to be adopted by the UN Security Council, a majority must be obtained.

Emmanuel Macron gave the green light. The meeting in Egypt is already “pre-organized”indicates the same source, which presents the text as very consistent with the French position: request for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, defense of a two-state solution but also disarmament of Hamas and recognition of the terrorist nature of attacks of October 7.

From Wednesday, the head of French diplomacy spoke with his Algerian, Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian counterparts, indicates the Quai d’Orsay. No resolution on the situation in Gaza has been achieved so far. Faced with the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza, France wants to take its responsibilities and believe in its chances of success.