The leaders of Egypt and Yemen have expressed support for an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord.
Duringtalks Saturday in Cairo, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and hisYemeni counterpart, Ali Abdullah Saleh, also focused on finding ways tomake peace between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah.
Egypthas served as a mediator between Hamas, the Islamic militant group thatcontrols the Gaza Strip, and the Fatah movement of PalestinianPresident Mahmoud Abbas.
Also Saturday, French Foreign MinisterBernard Kouchner toured the West Bank, meeting with PalestinianPresident Salam Fayyad in Jenin and Mr. Abbas in Ramallah.
Kouchnersaid at a news conference with Mr. Abbas that an Israeli-Palestinianpeace deal is not likely by the end of the year, but he pledged greaterEuropean involvement in the peace process. Mr. Abbas said peace talkswill continue despite upcoming leadership changes in Israel.
Mr.Abbas praised Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Israel's leadnegotiator in talks with the Palestinians. Livni is seeking to form anew coalition government after her recent election as leader ofIsrael's ruling Kadima party.
Earlier, Mr. Fayyad praised France for its support of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Kouchner plans to meet Sunday with Israeli leaders.