Lieberman, again: Abbas 'greatest obstacle to peace'

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday reiterated his criticism of President Mahmoud Abbas, calling him an obstacle and urging him to quit. Abbas is the "greatest obstacle to peace" whose resignation would be a "blessing," he said in the second such remarks in as many days since the ultranationalist first attacked the president. His "resignation would be a blessing because he represents the greatest obstacle to peace," Lieberman told Israel's army radio, according to AFP. "He has decided to sacrifice the interests of the Palestinians for his own benefit, to defend his place in history," said Lieberman, referring to Abbas's attempts to secure UN membership for the state of Palestine. "Abu Mazen is not reliable, he is not a man of peace, he is working against Israel on the international stage," Lieberman said, accusing him of pushing "to try Israeli officials before international courts." Palestinian officials have denounced the foreign minister's remarks. Fatah lawmaker Faysel Abu Shahla on Wednesday said the foreign minister's earlier comments reflected arrogance in Israeli thinking, which he said was based on assassinations and terror. He added that Israel had assassinated dozens of Palestinian leaders in the past and urged leaders to take threats seriously. The Fatah official urged all parties to unite against Israeli attacks. On Tuesday, Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki also considered Lieberman's comments a public call to kill the president, the official news agency Wafa reported. Lieberman's declarations were "an extension of the radical movement in Israel calling for the killing and displacement of Palestinians, controlling over their land and denying their human and national existence." He added: "The last person who has the right to talk about peace and coexistence is the settler Lieberman, who is known for his radical, aggressive and inhumane positions." Lieberman has also drawn international criticism for his tirade. UN spokesman Richard Miron called the original comments "deeply troubling." Speaking for the UN's envoy in Jerusalem Robert Serry, Miron said the remarks seemed intended to "delegitimize" the president.