Abbas: Renewal of talks with Israel won't affect UN bid
Palestinian president says that possible renewal of peace process with Israel won't impede PA's statehood drive
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday that he will not withdraw the Palestinian Authority's bid for UN membership even if the negotiations with Israel are renewed.
Abbas, who met with Egyptian leaders in Cairo Saturday, told local media that he would agree to resume the talks immediately if Israel would accept the peace proposal submitted by the Quartet of Mideast negotiators last month.
Related stories:
- Palestinians to push for UN membership Nov. 11 Mitchell: Palestinian UN bid hurts peace prospects
- Quartet to meet in effort to revive Mideast talks
"Our return to the negotiating table depends on Israel's acceptance of a Palestinian state based on the '67 lines," he said.
Abbas in Ramallah last month (Photo: EPA)
The Quartet – the United States, Russia, the European Union and the UN – urged Israel and the Palestinians to meet within a month to agree on a timetable for direct talks. Abbas, who submitted the PA's application for full UN membership on September 23, said that even if the stalled peace process resumes, it will have no effect on his statehood campaign.
"We submitted the request and we will stick to it to the end," the Palestinian president said.
The Quartet is expected to meet with Israel and the Palestinians next week.
'UN panel is stalling'
During his visit to Cairo Abbas met with Egypt's military ruler, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, to discuss developments in the PA and the attempts to renew the stagnant peace process with Israel.
Abbas thanked Tantawi for Egypt's role in the prisoner swap deal that exchanged 1,027 Palestinian prisoners for IDF soldier Gilad Shalit last week.
After concluding his trip to Egypt, Abbas is expected to continue to the United Arab Emirates.
The PA's UN application is currently being examined by the UN Security Council panel.
The Palestinians have expressed discontent at the length of the process, and the PA's representative at the UN, Riyad Mansour, claimed recently that the panel is purposefully stalling for time. He warned that the PA will eventually demand Lebanon, the country currently presiding over the Security Council, to forcefully bring the issue to a vote.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
