PARIS, July 13, 2008 (AFP) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Arab states had made a 'gesture of peace' by attending a summit Sunday in Paris for the launch of a new Union for the Mediterranean.

'I want to hail the courage of all those who answered our invitation,' Sarkozy told the more than 40 heads of state and government present for the opening of the summit in Paris.

'I want to salute Arab heads of state for being here, for accepting this responsibility and in that way making a gesture of peace.'