Sarkozy to push for end to Gaza fighting

Paris: French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office says he has left for the Middle East to meet Israeli, Palestinian and other regional leaders in a push to end the fighting in Gaza.

Sarkozy's two-day trip starts in Sharm Al Shaikh with lunch with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The French leader then goes to Ramallah for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and to Jerusalem to see Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Sarkozy will also travel to Syria and Lebanon.

Sarkozy has condemned Israel's use of ground troops but also blamed Hamas for causing Palestinian suffering with rocket fire that led to the Israeli offensive.