(KUNA) -- Palestine's permanent envoy to the United Nations and Ambassador to Austria Zohair Al-Wazir condemned Friday attempts to link between terrorism and Islam. "The Palestinian people are a stark reminder of life under occupation and state terrorism as the Israeli occupation forces have been practicing state terrorism against them, their sanctities and lands over long decades," Al-Wazir told KUNA on the sidelines of the first anti-terrorism forum here."The Palestinian people are against all forms of terrorism, he said, asserting the need to uproot all causes of terrorism including oppression and state terrorism. "Among the roots of terrorism are the adoption of double standards in dealing with political issues, occupation, and infringement on human rights. "The Palestinian delegation to the forum renewed commitment to the resolution of the Arab League foreign ministers' meeting of March on opposition to all forms of terrorism and all attempts to link this global phenomenon to Islam.
"Islam advocates tolerance, moderation and coexistence," he pointed out. He voiced concern over rising terrorism waves in the Middle East and other hot spots of the world . Palestine is for launching a global anti-terrorism center to coordinate the efforts of world countries and regional organizations in this field, Al-Wazir said, asserting support for the initiative of Tunisian President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali for holding an international conference on anti-terrorism.
Government officials and experts from around the world met in the Austrian capital, Vienna, Thursday to discuss means of fighting terrorism, in the first anti-terrorism forum. Head of the crime prevention and anti-narcotics office of the UN Jean-Paul Laborde told KUNA the two-day forum would discuss issues related to the international strategy against terrorism and enhancement of security measures at local, regional and international levels.