France wants to work quickly with US on Mideast

France's foreign minister says he hopes to work quickly with the new U.S. administration on settling Mideast tensions.

But Bernard Kouchner also told France-Info radio that France and Europe should not wait for President-elect Barack Obama to "solve all our problems" and should continue diplomatic efforts after 22 days of violence in Gaza.

Kouchner said in Tuesday's interview that he knew key players in the incoming administration and that he wanted to cooperate "very quickly" with Obama's choice for secretary of state, Hillary Clinton.

France played a vocal role in efforts to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza and rocket fire from Hamas militants. French President Nicolas Sarkozy traveled to the region twice in peacemaking efforts.