Sarkozy urges Israel to halt settlements construction in West Bank

Video

Play VideoIsraeli FM: Settlements not obstacle to peace Play VideoUS, Israel still differ on Jewish settlement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has begun his first European tour since taking office.He arrived in Paris on Wednesday and held talks with French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Both sides expressed their views on the issue of Jewish settlements.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for an immediate halt to construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu pledged that no new settlements would be built -- but suggested existing settlements would be allowed to develop.

Sarkozy calls himself a friend of Israel even though his country has traditionally had good relations with much of the Arab world. But he urged Israel to take faster action towards creating a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu was also scheduled to meet in Paris with Washington's top Mideast envoy, George Mitchell. But Israel's government postponed the meeting because it wanted more time to straighten out diverging views on settlements.

Netanyahu said he postponed the meeting to allow both countries to first work on a "series of details". He also said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak would meet with Mitchell instead next week in Washington.

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris June 24, 2009.REUTERS/Benoit Tessier