PARIS (EJP)---France has decided to upgrade its diplomatic relations with the Palestinians in a move meant "to support efforts for creating a Palestinian state and to guarantee its credibility."

The Palestinians up to now have been represented by a "delegation" in France and its head was called a general delegate.

The former "General Delegation of Palestine" in Paris will be called the 'Palestinian mission' led by an ambassador, chief of mission," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.

France under President Nicolas Sarkozy has renewed friendly ties with Israel and has pressed for a Palestinian state.

"France supports the creation of a viable, independent, democratic Palestinian State living in peace and security alongside Israel by the first quarter of 2012," Bernard Kouchner said in a statement on Monday.

Last week, Kouchner expressed his country's readiness to hold direct dialogue with Hamas, "if France receives an official request from the Palestinian Authority."

The Islamist movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, is listed by the United States and Europe among the terrorist organizations.

On Friday, the United States also upgraded the protocol for the Palestinian mission in Washington.

President Barack Obama's administration will allow the mission to call itself the "General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation", a protocol level above its unofficial current status.