JIMMY CARTER, KOFI ANNAN WELCOME UNITY DEAL

Bethlehem, 25 Jumadil Akhir 1435/254 April 2014 (MINA) – Former US president Jimmy Carter and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday welcomed the reconciliation agreement signed a day earlier between Hamas and the PLO.

“Palestinian reconciliation should not be seen as undermining prospects for a negotiated two-state solution,” Kofi Annan said in a statement released by The Elders, an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace.

“On the contrary, any lasting peace with Israel will have to be predicated on a peace agreement with a unified and democratic Palestinian government exercising its authority in both the West Bank and Gaza.”

Jimmy Carter commended the Palestinian factions for securing the agreement and urged all parties to implement it swiftly, Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“Any remaining differences must be resolved peacefully. When the Palestinians elect a new leadership – provided the elections are conducted in accordance with international standards – I strongly urge the international community to respect the democratic choices of the Palestinian people,” he added.

The Elders is an international non-governmental organisation of public figures noted as elder statesmen, peace activists, and human rights advocates, who were brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007.

The Elders said in a statement that the rift between Hamas and Fatah made peace between Palestinians and Israelis less viable.

Israel and the United States both criticized the unity deal, saying that it threatens the peace process.(T/P02/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)