Palestinian President Calls for Supporting French Initiative to hold Peace Conference

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday called for the importance of supporting the French initiative, Arab and European efforts, and the Quartet's endeavors to hold an international peace conference by the end of the year.

    Speaking at a joint news conference late Tuesday with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at Ramallah, Abbas said "We have been seeking to peace based on the two-state solution, but continued occupation and settlement are the problem which runs counter to the aspired peace." Abbas stressed the need to set a mechanism with clear timeframes for holding negotiations and implementing all agreements to establish an independent Palestinian state on borders 1967 with East Jerusalem as the capital.

    For his part, Ban emphasized that the two-state solution is the only option to achieve lasting and sustainable peace in the region, reiterating his commitment to work with all the leaders and the international community to promote these basic and fundamental goals.

    As for his visit to the Strip Tuesday, Ban said he was astonished by steadfastness of people in the Strip despite wars and enormous difficulties facing them.

    The UN Secretary-General described the reconstruction efforts in the sector as encouraging, calling on donors to meet their obligations in this regard.This is Ban Ki-moon's final trip to Palestine before his term of office expires in December.

Source : QNA