Israel has rejected the idea of foreign countries recognizing a Palestinian state, after France suggested the recognition could soon take place.

"Imposing this kind of semblance of a partial solution from outside goes against the very idea of peace," AFP quoted a senior Israeli official as saying on condition of anonymity.

The remarks came after French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Saturday that a Palestinian state could soon be recognized even before negotiating its borders.

"The issue before us at the moment is the building of a reality: France is training Palestinian police, businesses are being created in the West Bank," Kouchner told the French newspaper the Journal du Dimanche.

"It follows that one can envision the proclamation soon of a Palestinian state, and its immediate recognition by the international community, even before negotiating its borders," he added.

The Israeli official further said, "Granting recognition when the issues of the conflict have not been settled would add fuel to the fire. This would only push the Palestinians to be even more intransigent and thus make any compromise impossible."

Kouchner made the remarks ahead of a visit to Paris by acting Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas.

Earlier, PA’s caretaker Prime Minister Salam Feyadh said that he could see an independent Palestinian state in 2011, regardless of whether talks with Israel will have made any progress.

Later on Sunday, Abbas is due to meet with Kouchner in the French capital and with President Nicolas Sarkozy the following day.

(Press TV)