Palestinian PM lauds Sisi's efforts in backing Palestinian issue

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah lauded on Sunday efforts by Egyptian Abdel Fattah El Sisi in backing the Palestinian issue at international forums.

He told MENA correspondent here that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Sisi are in constant contact to back the Palestinian issue.

He added that Egypt's non-permanent membership in the Security Council will draw the attention of the international community back to the Palestinian issue to face the continued Israeli attempts to marginalize the issue.

Field executions of Palestinians, settlement activities and Israeli plots to isolate Al Quds will be among the files to be raised at the UNSC to expose Israel, the premier said.

He urged UN chief Ban Ki-moon to adopt the idea of holding an international conference for the Palestinian issue in a bid to end the Israeli occupation and sufferings of the Palestinians.

He added that the Palestinian government will immediately put into effect any decision taken by Fatah Central Council as regards signed agreements with Israel.

The Palestinian leadership is in constant contact with Arab leaders as regards these decisions, he said, expressing the government's full support of any decision to be taken by Abbas to stand against Israeli stubbornness no matter what the sacrifices were.

As for Fatah-Hamas division, he denied any Qatari mediation to achieve a Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, saying there are no contacts or negotiations between the two sides under Qatari sponsorship.

There is no need for new negotiations as the items of the previous agreement are known but were not applied by Hamas, he said.

Hamas' acceptance of a national unity government is the key to end the current division. "After that we will hold presidential and legislative elections," he said.

Whether or not he will agree to chair the national unity government if formed, he said it is premature to talk about this subject, stressing that Palestine is in need of the effort of every Palestinian to end the occupation.

He renewed calls on Hamas to agree to the initiative floated by Palestinian factions as regards Rafah border terminal operation to alleviate the sufferings of Palestinians.

He said Egypt will agree to open the crossing once its operation becomes the responsibility of the legitimate government.

"We want the legitimate government to extend its control over all crossings not just Rafah," he said.

Source: MENA