Addressing the United Nations General Assembly French President Nicolas Sarkozy insisted a timetable be drawn up for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and that the Palestinians be offered observer state status. It requires one month to resume talks, six months to reach an agreement on borders and security and one year to reach a final agreement, Sarkozy declared. The demand for a viable and peaceful Palestinian state is legitimate and would guarantee Israel security he said. Israel's demand for guarantees after 60 years of war and terror is legitimate he said, warning if anyone threatens Israel's existence, France would immediately stand alongside Jerusalem. The French president's words were greeted with an overwhelming round of applause.
