French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is meeting Palestinian officials in the West Bank in attempts to revive the Middle East peace process ahead of a year-end deadline for a deal.
Tomorrow he will meet with outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who is seeking to form a new coalition government following her election last month to head the ruling Kadima party.
Mr Kouchner is expected to renew a call to Israel to reduce restrictions on travel in the Palestinian territories, which is stifling the local economy.
The minister also intends to stress to his Israeli hosts the importance of freezing Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
The peace process has been effectively on hold because of the US presidential election and Israeli political turbulence.
Paris wants the trip to be consultation and dialogue allowing pressure to be kept up on both sides, according to diplomatic officials.
