PLO Urges Fair Framework for Talks

A senior Palestinian official has called for an equitable framework from the international community to insure the success of peace talks with Israel.

"To enhance the chances of success, it is imperative that the international community, through the Quartet, provide clear references for talks, in light of Israeli violations," Ahmed Qurei, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said on Tuesday.

Qurei insisted on the need for a fair framework for negotiations from the international community and an Israeli government that is "willing and able to respond to legitimate Palestinian national rights, and to stop all violations," especially in al-Quds (Jerusalem).

"Unilaterally prejudging the outcomes of negotiations is contrary to the spirit of peace, as a Palestinian state on provisional borders would only be a recipe for continued conflict," Qurei said in the statement after his meeting with the European Union’s Special Representative to the Middle East peace process Marc Otte on Tuesday.

The senior official, who also heads the PLO’s al-Quds affairs department, warned of ongoing Israeli violations which he said were aimed at changing conditions on the ground.

He further criticized Israel for frustrating peace efforts by refusing to implement its commitments to halt settlement building on occupied Palestinian land, including in East al-Quds.

Acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas said late on Saturday that US-sponsored "proximity talks" were approved by the Arab League and the PLO.

The indirect talks were once derailed in March after Israel announced further settlement expansion plans in annexed East al-Quds, followed by a controversial reopening of a synagogue in the city near the al-Aqsa Mosque -Islam’s’ third holiest site.

Hamas has condemned resumption of negotiations with Tel Aviv, arguing the move would only serve to facilitate further "Israeli violations" against Palestinians.

(Press TV)

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