French lawmakers to debate recognition of State of Palestine

French lawmakers were scheduled to debate a motion on Friday urging the government to recognize Palestine as a state, amid growing European frustration at the moribund Middle East peace process.

The symbolic motion is expected to pass comfortably on Tuesday when the lower house of Parliament votes on the text proposed by the ruling Socialists.

The vote comes hot on the heels of a similar resolution approved by British lawmakers on Oct 13, Spanish MPs on Nov 18 and the formal recognition by Sweden on Oct 30.