PLO Approves Indirect Negotiations With the Netanyahu Government

Published today (updated) 08/05/2010 16:30

Bethlehem – Ma'an –

The PLO has formally approved indirect negotiations with Israel, officials announced Saturday in Ramallah.

Yasser Abed Rabbo, secretary-general of the PLO, read the announcement at a news conference following a joint meeting between the PLO Executive Committee and Fatah Central Committee. He expected President Abbas and US Mideast envoy George Mitchell to officially announce the beginning of negotiations later today.

Abed Rabbo said the decision to approve indirect negotiations was taken by majority. He explained that the decision was based on guarantees given to the Palestinian government in Ramallah “related to settlement construction and the necessity to stop it.” There were also guarantees related to the UN resolutions 242, 338, the Road map plan, and the Arab peace initiative as foundations for the peace process, he said.

According to Abed Rabbo, the guarantees included final-status issues, Jerusalem, refugees, and security. He highlighted that the decision to approve indirect negotiations stemmed from Palestinian national interests and would give a new opportunity to the peace process, which is sponsored by the US through the Middle East Quartet, the Arab League follow-up committee, and the international community.

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