If US President Donald Trump really wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize, he needs to stop the war in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.
Speaking to France's BFM TV from New York, Macron said only Trump had the power to put pressure on Israel to end the war.
"There is one person who can do something about it, and that is the US president," Macron said. "And the reason he can do more than us, is because we do not supply weapons that allow the war in Gaza to be waged. We do not supply equipment that allows war to be waged in Gaza. The United States of America does."
Trump gave a combative, wide-ranging speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that rejected moves by Western allies to endorse a Palestinian state, saying that would be a reward for Hamas militants.
"We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to immediately negotiate peace," Trump said.
Discussing Trump's speech, Macron said: "I see an American president who is involved, who reiterated this morning from the podium: 'I want peace. I have resolved seven conflicts', who wants the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is only possible if you stop this conflict," Macron said.
Also Read: Trump at UNGA: Calls for Gaza ceasefire, slams climate change as ‘scam’
Countries such as Cambodia, Israel and Pakistan are among those that have nominated Trump for the annual prize for brokering peace pacts or ceasefires.
Trump has said he deserves the Norwegian-bestowed accolade given to four of his White House predecessors.
"President Trump has done more for peace than everyone present at the United Nations combined," said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.
"Only this president could have accomplished so much for global stability because he has effectively Made America Strong Again."
Also Read: France, Belgium among 6 countries to recognise Palestine at UN
Just a day ago, dozens of world leaders gathered at the United Nations to embrace a Palestinian state, a landmark diplomatic shift nearly two years into the Gaza war that faces fierce resistance from Israel and its close ally the United States.
Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine statehood at a meeting he convened with Saudi Arabia - a milestone that could boost Palestinian morale but appeared unlikely to change much on the ground. "We must pave the way for peace," Macron said at the start of the session at the United Nations in New York.
"We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security," he said before announcing the diplomatic move drawing lengthy applause from the audience.
