International envoys will discuss a two-state solution in the Middle East and efforts at UN headquarters in New York this month, before national leaders meet in September, AFP reported on Wednesday quoting a French diplomatic source. The conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was originally planned for mid-June to revive work on the long-standing diplomatic effort to advance the recognition of the State of Palestine and achieve a two-state solution in the region.

The French source said that the meeting would seek to “advance the recognition of a Palestinian state for a certain number of states who have not yet recognized it, including France,” the source said. Heads of state and government would then meet in either Paris or New York, before the UN General Assembly, which will be attended by world leaders on September 22, the source added. Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron called for joint recognition by France and Britain of a Palestinian state.