PARIS -Arab countries will for the first time condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament early next week at a United Nations ministerial event in New York, a move meant to lure more European countries to recognize Palestinian statehood,

"I will make the solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September," President Macron said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced he will officially recognise Palestinian statehood before the UN General Assembly in September. While the move has been denounced by Israel and the US and welcomed by Palestinians and Arab countries,