ARAB PARLIAMENT URGED ISRAEL TO WITHDRAW FROM OCCUPIED TERRITORIES TO ACHIEVE PEACE

Cairo, 23 Jumadil Akhir 1435/ 23 April 2014 (MINA) – The Arab Parliament called on Israel to withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories to achieve peace and stability in the region.

Kuwait’s chief delegate and parliamentary speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said yesterday, following the conclusion of the Arab League parliament’s second biannual talks, that “peace will only be achieved when Israel withdraws from the occupied Palestinian territories”, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reported as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Al-Ghanim noted that “Israel has to stop its settlement activity and allow the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem, according to the international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, and free all Palestinian prisoners including members of the Palestinian National Council and the Legislative Council.”

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He said Syria had become the focus of attention adding that the Arab Parliament aims to be an “open space” to encourage democracy, human rights and development and every joint Arab effort is important to move these issues forward.

Previously, The Arab League stated that current Palestinian-Israeli negotiations may be the “last chance” for agreement between the two nations.

The assistant secretary general for Palestine and occupied Arab territories affairs at the league, Mohamed Sobih, said on September 2013 that Arab countries were doing their part in supporting US demands for the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, Egypt’s Ahram reported.

The resumption of negotiations, however, must have clear bases, “not just public relations to convince the world that there are negotiations for peace,” he noted.

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“Things are going in the other direction, which could make this the last chance for negotiations,” he stressed.

He noted that the Arab League has held frequent meetings through the Arab Peace Initiative Committee with US delegates.

The current round of negotiations will last for 6 to 9 months, provided that Israel freezes settlement construction activities. The 1967 borders would be the reference for the negotiations, he explained. (T/Putri/P03/P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)