Paris ? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ended his European tour Saturday without persuading any country to end crippling economic sanctions based on his power-sharing deal with the rival Islamic militant Hamas.

The bright spot in his trip was a promise Saturday from French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy to work with a government that includes Hamas and Abbas’ more moderate Fatah party. His comments were more positive than those of other European leaders during Abbas’ four-country tour. But Douste-Blazy made no commitments on resuming aid frozen since Hamas won parliamentary elections a year ago.

Europe’s governments remained firm: Any new Palestinian government must recognize Israel’s right to exist before direct international aid can resume.

If the government is formed according to the power-sharing deal worked out in the Islamic holy city of Mecca last month, “France will be ready to cooperate with it,” Douste-Blazy said. “And our country will plead on its behalf within the European Union and with other partners in the international community.”

Abbas, who also traveled to Britain, Germany and Belgium, welcomed the pledge from France. But it was unclear how far France could go in supporting the Palestinians without the backing of the rest of the EU or other members of the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators: the United States, Russia and the U.N.

Half of the Palestinian Authority’s budget came from foreign assistance until much of it was frozen last year over Hamas’ refusal to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept existing peace agreements with Israel. The power-sharing deal skirts those demands.

“We hope that the embargo will be lifted,” Abbas said after meeting French President Jacques Chirac on Saturday. “If not … the Palestinian people would continue to suffer and the sanctions would continue to cause damage.”