Abbas praised
צילום: איי פי
U.S. lauds Abbas’ efforts
State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack says America supports Palestinian leader’s efforts to maintain law and order, disarm terror groups; denies reports about U.S. intentions to change regime in Syria
The U.S. Administration praised Monday recent efforts by the Palestinian Authority to disarm terrorist groups.
“We have welcomed recent steps by President Abbas to implement a strategy that outlaws the public display of arms ... end violence and dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism," U.S. State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
McCormack added the U.S. government expected the PA to continue its efforts and fulfill its obligations under the Road Map peace initiative. He said representatives of the international Quartet – The European Union, Russia, and the United Nations – also fully support the efforts to dismantle the terror infrastructure.
Meanwhile, McCormack denied talks took place between Israeli and American officials regarding the possibility of bringing about a regime change in Syria. The spokesman said America was not interested in a regime change, but rather, a change in Syrian conduct. He said Syria’s biggest problem was not with the U.S., but rather, its neighbors, namely Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian people.
Gaza chaos continues
For the time being, it appears Abbas needs all the American help he can get, as chaos in Palestinian territories, and particularly in Gaza, continues to spiral out of control
On Monday, Palestinian police officers and armed Fatah members stormed the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Gaza and started firing once inside the compound. The incident occurred while Palestinian parliament members were present at the building and holding a video conference with their counterparts in Ramallah.
The violent display came to protest the PA’s failure to restrain Hamas, following clashes between PA officers and the terror group earlier.
