File- French President Emmanuel Macron described Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as “an enemy of the Syrian people”, but insisted: “We have to speak to Assad and his representatives.” – AFP / FILE

CAIRO – 2 September 2024: France emphatically reiterated the need to reach an agreement now on the release of all the hostages and on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

“We fully support mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to this end. The release of our compatriots is an absolute priority for France,” the French foreign ministry said in a press release on Monday.

“France was outraged to learn of Hamas’s murder of six hostages, whose bodies were found in the Gaza Strip. Our thoughts go out to their families and close friends, to whom we extend our sincere condolences,” the ministry added.