Abbas Will Resign, Dismantle Palestinian Authority Should Peace Talks Fails

Abbas Hints Dismantling P.A Should Peace Talks Fails

Saturday October 09, 2010 09:40 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

During a Friday night meeting with the Arab Follow-up Committee in Sirt Libyan city, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, casted doubts on the future of the Palestinian Authority should peace talks fail to lead to a Palestinian State.

Abbas said that there will be no point of keeping the P.A while Israel continues its violations and settlement activities.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Palestinian official told France Press that Abbas presented a number of alternatives for the Palestinian State should peace talks with Israel fail to achieve this goal due to the ongoing construction of settlements.

Some of the alternatives presented by Abbas are seeking U.S. recognition of a Palestinian State in the 1967 borders, or resorting to the United Nations – General Assembly to place the Palestinian territories under international mandate.

Arab League Secretary-General, Amro Moussa, stated prior to the meeting of the Follow-Up Committee that Arab leaders will start presenting alternatives to the peace process as the talks are currently obstructed.

Moussa added that the leaders will listen to what Abbas has to say, and will start thinking about alternatives.

Two days ago, Abbas hinted that he might submit his resignation should peace talks fails.

Palestinian official, Dr. Nabil Sha'ath, said that the statements of Abbas are a message to the world, and added that what Abbas meant is to tell the world “I will not give-up the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people”.

During the Friday meeting of the Arab Summit, Arab leaders expressed support to the Palestinian decision to halt talks with Israel should it fail to halt its settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and in occupied East Jerusalem.

They decided to give the United States another chance to advance peace talks and to pressure Israel into halting its settlement activities.

Abbas Will Resign, Says Sha'ath

Published yesterday (updated) 08/10/2010 19:45

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) --

Palestinian negotiations team member Nabil Sha'ath said Thursday evening that President Mahmoud Abbas will resign from his post, rebuffing days of speculation as the leader arrives in Libya for an emergency Arab League session.

Sha'ath told Ma'an that the president said he would "not backtrack on his national stance and that anyone who thinks he is sticking to his post in exchange for national consensus is wrong.

"Once and for all, [Abbas] is not clinging to the post [of president] nor ready to pay any price in return on the issue," Sha'ath said.

Abbas is scheduled to speak before the Arab Follow-Up Committee, responsible for the Arab Peace Initiative, on Friday where he has said he will make an "historic" speech.

Palestinians did not accept US initiative

Meanwhile, the Fat'h official further denied rumors that Palestinians had accepted a US proposal for a two-month extension to Israel's settlement freeze in exchange for remaining in talks.

According to the Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post, Sha'ath said Thursday that Palestinians had accepted the proposal provided both sides could agree on borders between the two states within the two-month time frame.

Sha'ath said what he was quoted as saying during a radio interview on the US initiative "does not represent our real stance," and that Israel should halt settlement activity "to be able to return to the serious talks out of which there will be a just solution that would lead to comprehensive peace."

"A total halt to settlement activity is key to talks," he said, adding that following the expiration of Israel's moratorium on illegal settlement building, the government had shown "a hidden intention to return to building, after which Israel would compromise on a temporary solution for a high price."

Hamas-Fat'h discussion on security delayed

Sha'ath further said a scheduled meeting between leaders from Hamas and Fatah to solve the final disputed point on the Egyptian document relating to security had been postponed until after ratifying the deal.

He said the move was agreed upon with Yemen President Ali Abdallah Saleh during the Fatah official's recent visit to the country. Saleh contacted Hamas leader in exile Khaled Mash'al but said he had "refused and preferred to discuss this issue in the next meeting on 20 October in Damascus."

Sha'ath said ongoing efforts to finalize a deal between the two factions would not fail "because everything was agreed on. This issue was last to be discussed and Fatah has all hope in reaching a conciliation agreement."

Fat'h's parliamentary bloc leader Azzam Al-Ahmad said last week that security experts from both parties would be invited to join the discussion in security-related issues.

Arab Summit Supports Palestinian Decision To Halt Talks With Israel

Friday October 08, 2010 23:31 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Arab Summit held its meeting in Libya on Friday and decided to support the Palestinian decision to halt talks with Israel until it stops all of its settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and in occupied East Jerusalem.

The final statement of the summit expressed hopes that the United States will continue its pressure on Israel to halt its settlement activities.

Libyan Foreign Minister, Mousa Kousa, said that Arab countries support the legitimate Palestinian rights of statehood and independence, and the refugees’ Right of Return.

Mousa added that the summit also included talks on Arab African cooperation and the means to counter the challenges in the Middle East, including keeping the region a nuclear free zone.

The leaders also held talks on the means to counter organized crimes and terrorism.

The final statement of the summit expressed direct Arab and African support to the struggle of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation, including their right to an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyadh Al Maliky, and head of the Negotiations Department at the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Dr. Saeb Erekat, also attended the summit along with Palestinian Ambassador in Cairo, Majdi Al Khalidy, president’s spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rodeina, and the Palestinian permanent envoy at the Arab league, Maisa’ Hadmi.

Prior to the Summit, Arab League Secretary-General, Amro Mousa, said that the current conditions are negative and do not support resuming talks between Israel and the Palestinian people.

Mousa added that Arab leaders will start finding alternatives to the peace process, and that Arab countries support the decision of Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, to halt talks with Israel until it freezes all of its settlement activities.
On October 2nd, the Palestinian Leadership it will not hold talks with Israel while it continues its settlement construction and expansion in the occupied territories.

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