Fayyad: Wall protests are 'clear response' to occupation

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Tuesday that peaceful popular resistance is a clear response to occupation and settlements in Palestine. Speaking at an international conference on popular resistance in Bilin, near Ramallah, Fayyad said the weekly demonstrations against Israel's separation barrier reflect the Palestinian people's resolve. Popular resistance is part of a national effort to prepare for the establishment of a Palestinian state, he said. Israel’s decision to back off from building the wall in Bilin marked the beginning of the end of the occupation even though there are still lands in Bilin being confiscated for the wall's purpose, he added. On the issue of his meeting in Washington this week, Fayyad said talks with the Quartet were not expected to bring anything new unless it acknowledges the necessity of implementing international law.