Hervé Gourdel

French lawmakers were to debate on Nov. 28 a motion 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 December 2 when the lower house of parliament votes on the text proposed by the ruling Socialists.
      

Greece has condemned the execution of a French hostage in Algeria by militants linked to the Islamic State jihadi group.

“We condemn in the most unequivocal manner and express our profound sadness and outrage at the barbaric and inhuman execution,” said a statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

Algerian militants beheaded French tourist Hervé Gourdel, who was kidnapped by gunmen in what the group said was a response to France's action against ISIL militants in Iraq