Abbas Urges African Union to Support the French Initiative

Ramallah, 13 Syawal 1437/1 July 2016 (MINA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday urged the African Union member states and its officials to support the French initiative to organize an international peace conference aimed at reaching a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Ma’an reported.

In a speech at the African Union’s 27th summit held in Kigali, Rwanda, Abbas said that the Africa Union had an important role to play to promote peace in the region due to its influence both at the regional and international level, and he applauded the African Union for supporting the Palestinian people in their efforts to end Israel’s occupation.

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“Our hands are extended for peace with our neighbors, to be achieved through legal and peaceful means based on international resolutions.”

Peace, he added, can only be reached if the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory comes to an end and an independent Palestinian state be established with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Palestinian president reiterated his view the the Middle East Quartet “failed once again” to undertake its duties in accordance with the Road map for peace plan of 2003, referring to the released recently report by the Quartet that he said “undermines resolutions made by legitimate international bodies.”

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The Quartet’s report, he added, did not reflect the reality of Palestinian life under occupation and only functioned to encourage Israel to continue its “oppression and violations of international law.” (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)