Sarkozy spoke by telephone on Tuesday with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, encouraging him "to continue his efforts in service to the Palestinians and peace" and pledged France's support for relaunching the peace process, the French presidency said in a statement.
An Abbas spokesman said that Sarkozy had also asked the Palestinian leader to reconsider his decision not to run in the elections in January.
Netanyahu discussed the stalled peace process in his meeting with President Barack Obama Tuesday, but left the White House without making the customary public appearance with the US leader.
Netanyahu dismissed reports of tension between him and Obama in brief comments to reporters before leaving Washington.
The meeting was "very positive and focused. It dealt with an array of important issues including the joint effort to advance the peace process," he said, stressing: "I think the visit will prove to be very important."
Israel's ties with the Obama administration have become strained over Netanyahu's rejection of demands for a full settlement freeze in the West Bank ahead of peace talks.
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Image: AFP/Nicholas Kamm.