President Abbas Welcomes Britain’s Prince William to Palestine

Ramallah, MINA — President Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday welcomed Britain’s Prince William to Palestine and affirmed his full commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace with Israel.

He said that the Palestinian side is serious in reaching peace with Israel so that the two states can live in peace and security on the June 4, 1967 borders.

“We want to reach peace through negotiations. This is our position which has not changed in a long time,” WAFA quoted President Abbas as telling the Duke of Cambridge, who is on his first ever official royal visit to Palestine, during their meeting at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.

Abbas welcomed the prince’s first visit to Palestine, expressing hope it will not be the last. “I hope this will not be the last visit…and that your next visit will be in the state of Palestine when we have our full independence.”

President Abbas said that Prince William’s visit will deepen and strengthen the friendly ties between both the Palestinian and British people, adding that: “We are always in need of the support of the British people for our just Palestinian cause,” he said.

Abbas mentioned the recent financial aid provided by the British government to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), saying it was an important gesture in such circumstances.

He further reiterated the Palestinian side’s commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms; whether domestically, regionally and internationally.

William thanked President Abbas for his warm reception and expressed his hopes for peace for the region.

“My sentiments are the same as yours in hoping that there is a lasting peace in the region,” said the Royal Prince. .(T//RS5/RS1);

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)