Palestinian leader Abbas
Photo: AFP
Abbas urges Obama to adopt Arab peace initiative
Palestinian leader calls on president-elect to adopt Arab peace initiative immediately upon taking office; Abbas also criticizes Israel, says Jewish State's policy undermines Palestinian rights, gravely jeopardizes peace process
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Saturday urged US President-elect Barack Obama to adopt the Arab peace initiative immediately upon taking office. Abbas made the comments during an economic convention in the West Bank town of Nablus.
Meanwhile, Abbas slammed Israel for failing to implement the pledges it made during the Annapolis Conference. The Palestinian president said Israel continues to adhere to a policy that undermines Palestinian rights as well as the understandings between the sides, thereby gravely jeopardizing the future of the peace process.
Abbas' remarks marked the first time the Palestinian leader called on the president-elect to adopt the Saudi-led peace plan.
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Abbas charged that Israel undermines Palestinian Authority efforts on various fronts. He stressed that only an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinians state will bring security, peace, stability, and regional prosperity.
'No temporary solutions'
The Palestinian leader urged the Obama Administration to immediately get involved in the peace process and act in line with the Arab initiative, which calls for an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders, a just solution to the refugee issue, and the release of all Palestinian prisoners.Abbas also harshly criticized Israel's settlement policy, the construction of the West Bank security fence, and the razing of homes. He stressed that the Palestinian leadership will not accept temporary or partial agreements that do not include all issues necessary for a final-status agreement.
Finally, Abbas also addressed the domestic Palestinian arena, saying that the conditions were not right for renewing dialogue with Hamas.
"We are interested in unity and an independent government…far off from charges of treason and collaboration with the enemy," he said.
