Abbas Discusses Replacing US Mediation for Mideast Peace in Russia

Moscow, MINA – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed with Russian officials pursuing a multi-nation mediator for the Middle East peace process, which would replace the role commonly associated with the US.

At a press conference in Moscow a day after meeting his Russian counterpart, Abbas told KUNA that talks with Vladimir Putin proposed a global conference, which would act as a platform for the creation of a mediation “mechanism.”

He reiterated Palestinian rejection of an exclusive US mediatory role on the Middle East peace process.

Meanwhile, he said that Palestinians are in agreement with Moscow over the principles of achieving a resolution to the dispute.

These principles include the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, based on the 1967 borders, and the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, he underlined.

This mechanism, Abbas was referring to, would be established within the framework of the United Nations and the participation of international sides, including the US, a Palestinian Liberation Organisation official said earlier.

In an interview with Voice of Palestine Radio, PLO Executive Committee member Ahmad Majdalani blamed the US for the deadlock in Middle East peace talks.

Over the past three months, Washington recognised occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital after announcing its intention to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv and halted funding it had been providing to the UN Palestinian refugee relief agency, UNRWA. . (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)