Israel has demanded all violence end before any talks

The French say the aim of their proposals is to counter what a foreign ministry spokesman described as the absolutely stupid and deadly situation the Middle East finds itself in, where peace efforts are at the mercy of armed extremists.

The spokesman was referring to Israeli demands that that there must be a seven-day period without violence before peace talks resume.

Independent state

He said the French believe peace moves must be pursued whether the violence stops or not.

The French plan envisages three main stages towards a peace settlement.

First would be the declaration of an independent Palestinian state, swiftly followed by general elections under international supervision - the idea being to give the Palestinians a newly mandated and more democratic leadership.

Only then would final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians take place.

The French have presented their ideas to other European countries, but have yet to receive firm backing.

Endorsed

Arab states have been encouraging, although the French say some are concerned about the precedent that could be created by a truly democratic Palestinian leadership.

Yasser Arafat has failed to halt Palestinian suicide attacks

The Palestinians have eagerly endorsed the proposals.

A top Palestinian official, Nabil Shaath, said he would visit London and Brussels to lobby more support.

But the French are keen not to portray the ideas as a peace plan, for fear of raising false expectations.

It seems unlikely that the Israelis under the hardline Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, will accept any plan that looks like compromising their security concerns.

However, the French ideas are not dissimilar to those currently being discussed - with Mr Sharon's sanction - by the Israeli Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, and the Speaker of the Palestinian legislative council, Ahmed Qorei.