Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Photo: AP
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas intends on informing Special US envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell that the Palestinian Authority would agree to have NATO forces stationed in future Palestine,
London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi reported Wednesday.
Abbas and Mitchell are scheduled to meet in Ramallah on Wednesday afternoon.
The newspaper quoted Palestinian sources as saying that Abbas would agree to have North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces monitor the borders of the future Palestinian state, in order to stop arms smuggling to what is supposed to become a demilitarized zone.
According to the report, NATO forces would also be tasked with "protecting the Palestinian state from Israel."
The newspaper added that the Palestinian president intends to "reiterate his commitment to fighting terror and any incitement or violence against Israel. He will stress that the PA has met its security obligations, as detailed in the Road Map, in full."
According to the report, Abbas will inform the US envoy that he intends to establish a state within the confines of the 1967 borders, while keeping the option of a territorial exchange with Israel.