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Abbas calls on world to isolate Likud
Palestinian Authority Acting Chief Mahmoud Abbas has urged the diplomatic isolation of a right-wing Israeli government led by Likud. Meanwhile unnamed senior political sources in Jerusalem (al-Quds) was quoted by Haaretz as saying that France, Britain and Italy have promised Abbas that they would not allow any new Israeli government delay or freeze the peace process. The source also noted that Abbas and his aides view Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks on the continuation of peace talks as 'empty promises.' Abbas met last week with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and discussed with them his "deep concerns" about the establishment of a right-wing government in Tel Aviv. Abbas stressed that such a development means a final blow to the peace process. He also expressed concern that Netanyahu's leadership would result in renewed expansion of settlements in the West Bank. During all his meetings, Abbas called on the European leaders to adopt a hard line against an Israeli government that opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian Authority Acting Chief also demanded that the three European states insist on the Middle East Quartet's demands, including a two-state solution. Posted by: Fred 2009-02-13 |
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